FORMULA E: 2025 Miami E-Prix Preview
Heading into Round 5 for the inaugural race at Homestead, who is looking to come out on top? And who might be the underdog in this story?
Norman Nato (#17), Jean Eric Vergne (#25) - Portland E-Prix 2024
We have less than one month to go until the inaugural E-Prix at Homestead Miami, which falls on Saturday, April 12. Despite not being the FIRST EVER race hosted by the Magic City, it is the most recent, with the American E-Prix having been held in Portland, OR for the last two years, and New York City, NY, prior to that in Seasons 4-8. That said, Round 5 of the 2025 Championship is looking to promise great excitement - a new track for the sport which boasts prime overtaking opportune at turns 3 & 4, with long straights between turns 5 & 6, and also 7 & 8. That said, who will be looking to benefit the most from this thrilling day of action?
The Miami E-Prix will NOT be a double-header weekend, contrary to last year’s turnout at the Portland two race weekend, which means it will not be featuring the all new Pit Boost we covered in last week’s edition. The race will still feature the signature Formula E Attack Mode, meaning teams will need to navigate their energy savings to be able to fully use the extra 50kW and AWD provided.
Last time out in Jeddah for Rounds 3 & 4, we saw Nissan E-Dams driver Oliver Rowland (#23) come out strong to finish on the podium both days. Taking his first FE win last year in Tokyo, JPN for the team, his confidence seems to be on an upward trend - the British countryman now LEADS the Season 11 Championship standings. Be sure to keep an eye out on the brightly colored sakura-themed Nissan vehicle. We expect Rowland to continue his astounding performances throughout the season.
Oliver Rowland (#23) - Portland E-Prix, 2024
McLaren Rookie Taylor Barnard (#5) is also looking very strong for his inaugural season in Formula E, having set fast lap times to finish on the podium for 75% of this year’s races! The young Brit showed some incredibly skilled driving on track, and demonstrated a strong natural ability to keep his Gen 3 Evo planted on the ground. His qualifying times were FLYING with a 1:14:840 time around Jeddah in Round 4, the fastest of the weekend - and enough to secure him his FIRST Pole Position award!
Who might be a slept on choice going into Miami? Well, let’s first consider Season 9 Champion Jake Dennis (#27), who currently drives for Andretti Autosport. The fellow British driver currently sits in ninth position for Championship standings, having not finished two races out of the current season. After a very strong battle last year with (current) reigning champion Pascal Wherlein (#1), Dennis has found himself with less-than-wanted results. Let’s not count him out yet; with six wins and 21 pole positions under his belt, Dennis has the backing to win again in Season 11. The blue & white special livery Andretti will be running in Miami is sure to be an eye-pleaser, so keep yours peeled.
We should also keep an eye out on Maximillian Guenter (#7), who has moved to DS Penske for 2024 & 2025 to race alongside teammate Jean Eric Vergne (#25). Guenter, similarly to Dennis, holds six wins under his belt, including one this season out in Saudi Arabia. The two former teammates are still good contenders for this year’s championship, so keep watch on the black & gold car as well.
The wonderful thing about Formula E - it’s anybody’s game! Unlike other sports where drivers win, and win, and win again (Max Verstappen), Formula E has only ONCE had a repeat champion: Jean Eric Vergne, from 2017 to 2019. There is so much to play for when the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship RETURNS to a proper racetrack this spring! Stateside, the race will be broadcast via CBS Sports or the Roku Channel live on April 12th, 2025. Check your local listings for exact dates and times.
The #18 Pit Stall - Portland E-Prix, 2024
We cannot WAIT to see you in Miami! I’m hoping to be down there for our #shotonfilm campaign, as Lightshoot LLC is now an officially accredited media group with Formula E. If you’re there too, send us some flicks @jtlthecarguy on Instagram!
