It was an all-British podium at the Jeddah E-Prix, as Oliver Rowland took home the win, followed by Taylor Barnard and Jake Hughes.
The stage was set for an exciting second race in Jeddah, with an all-British front row, after an exciting Qualifying session.
Rookie Taylor Barnard made Formula E history by becoming the youngest-ever pole position winner at the Jeddah E-Prix Race 2 qualifying, defeating his former karting mentor Oliver Rowland in the final duel. The session began with Stoffel Vandoorne leading Group A, ahead of Rowland, Günther, and Bird, while Barnard topped Group B followed by Hughes, Mortara, and Da Costa.
Through the duels, Rowland eliminated Friday’s race winner Günther in the quarterfinals before defeating Vandoorne in the semifinals, while Barnard progressed by beating Da Costa and Hughes. In a dramatic final, Barnard showed impressive pace to out qualify Rowland by more than four-tenths of a second, securing his maiden Formula E pole position on a dusty track that had challenged drivers throughout practice.
Green light
Just as the lights were about to go green, the start was delayed due to Zane Maloney’s Lola being out of position. The rain managed to stay away, but it was now time for the drivers to race.
It was lights out and Taylor Barnard had a great, clean start. Jake Hughes managed to leap by Oliver Rowland to take second place from the Nissan driver. However, there was an incident behind and Maximilian Günther collided with António Félix da Costa. Günther made his way into the pit lane, due to damage sustained to his DS Penske. He reported issues at his front wing right suspension. Da Costa had a puncture on his rear.
Collision on lap one 😩
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) February 15, 2025
Maximilian Günther goes deep and makes contact with da Costa sending them both to the pits. #JeddahEPrix pic.twitter.com/bkONluQwxE
Barnard was still in the lead, but Hughes was hot on his tail. Barnard was told to keep doing what he’s doing, and that his teammate Sam Bird sustained damage to his front wing.
The highest position for Lola
Meanwhile, Lucas Di Grassi was moving forward, hitting the front after taking his Attack Mode. Wehrlein was also moving up. While the midfield was battling it out, the race saw a new leader, as Rowland took the top spot. With over a two-second gap, Rowland was in a position to conserve.
The rest of the pack began taking their Attack Mode and Barnard began to fall behind. Jean-Éric Vergne (JEV) and Wehrlein jumped into second and third, but Barnard sat comfortably in fourth, waiting for his moment to lunge.
In a turn of events, Nick Cassidy, who’s been unlucky all weekend, was now up to sixth and had the fastest lap.
Rowland had fun at the front, managing the pace for the rest of the drivers. Despite being in the lead, he’s still up on energy.
Bird has been handed a five-second penalty for not following the race director’s instructions. The Jaguars seemed to finally find their pace with Mitch Evans pulling into third.
After taking his Attack Mode, Rowland rejoined the field in third, ahead of Barnard. A good move for the Nissan driver to fight his way to the front. Rowland was now in the lead, chased by JEV and Barnard.
Cassidy on the rise
Cassidy asked his team if anyone else on the grid was on Attack Mode, and Dan Ticktum did, but with the British driver almost out, Cassidy had the advantage, moving up the ranks.
Barnard and Rowland were battling for first, briefly switching positions.
BARNARD ON THE CHARGE 🙌
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) February 15, 2025
Can the youngest @juliusbaer Pole sitter claim his first win? #JeddahEPrix pic.twitter.com/gZmhBiPJSU
Jake Dennis was having a much better time, working his way through the grid. Wehrlein was told to defend his position from the Andretti driver. Dennis looked like he might join the fight for a podium position, lapping quicker than Rowland.
Jake Dennis in the lead
Dennis took his Attack Mode and was 1% up on energy, compared to the surrounding drivers. Rowland responded by taking his final Attack Mode.
Although Evans was doing great, he had to retire from the race. It was another no point finish for the Jaguar driver. Meanwhile, Barnard was being a trooper, racing wheel-to-wheel to slip by JEV and Dennis.
Hughes was up on energy and was targeting his first win. He chased down the drivers in front of him and was now up in third, eyeing Barnard and JEV. Barnard held off Hughes beautifully, as the pair went side-by-side. Barnard defended hard, with Hughes all over the rear of the NEOM McLaren driver.
The final moments
With only one lap left to go, Rowland had cleared off the pack, but it was an all-British battle with the Nissan driver. Jake Hughes and Taylor Barnard were still fighting, with Barnard in second. Their fight created a train behind them, leading Dennis to take fourth by going around the outside.
The chequered flag was out and Rowland finished first with a gap of nearly six seconds. Moreover, he’s also extended his championship lead. It was an all-British podium with Rowland, Barnard, and Hughes. Barnard is also up to second in the Championship standings, in just four Formula E races. What an incredible feat for the young rookie.
