Rowland extends standings lead with commanding win of 2025 Monaco E-Prix double-header race one

Nissan’s Oliver Rowland reinforced his grip on the Formula E title race with a commanding drive to victory in an action-packed 2025 Monaco E-Prix Round 6, holding off Mahindra’s Nyck de Vries and Andretti’s Jake Dennis in a high-stakes battle through the streets of Monte Carlo.

Rowland weathered a dramatic final third of the race filled with attack mode strategy, pit boost timing, and multiple full course yellows, ultimately rising from the pack to pull clear and take the chequered flag with a 2.5-second margin.

NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard led the field into Sainte Devote, but his lead was constantly under threat from Rowland and a charging de Vries. Meanwhile, Dan Ticktum found himself penalised early after skipping the chicane battling de Vries, dropping behind Pascal Wehrlein.

The first big shakeup came on Lap 9 when Antonio Felix da Costa misjudged a move on Edoardo Mortara, crashing at Anthony Nogues and triggering a full course yellow. Upon the restart, Rowland began turning the screws, eventually taking the lead from Barnard at the harbourfront chicane on Lap 13.

The middle stint was dominated by strategic manoeuvres. While Nick Cassidy tried to gain track position by pitting early for pit boost, technical issues forced Mitch Evans into retirement, prompting another full course yellow.

Rowland briefly lost the lead after his rivals used attack mode activations to surge ahead. At one point, Andretti’s Nico Mueller looked to be in the catbird seat after pitting early and saving enough energy to challenge late.

But energy management became a critical issue, and by Lap 22, it was clear Rowland had more in hand than those ahead of him, including Mueller and Cassidy.

With just five laps to go, de Vries swept into the lead, triggering a domino effect that saw Mueller fall behind Dennis, and then Rowland, who still had an attack mode to deploy.

Rowland executed a brilliant move on de Vries through the tunnel on Lap 27 to retake the lead, while behind him the Andretti drivers attempted to disrupt the chase. Despite Dennis receiving a penalty for speeding under full course yellow, teammate Mueller played the team role perfectly, blocking to protect Dennis’ net position.

It wasn’t enough to hold back Mortara, though, who surged to steal fourth on the line, just behind Dennis and de Vries. Mueller settled for fifth with Wehrlein taking sixth.

Final classification – Top 10

1. Oliver Rowland – Nissan
2. Nyck de Vries – Mahindra Racing
3. Jake Dennis – Andretti (subject to penalty)
4. Edoardo Mortara – Mahindra Racing
5. Nico Mueller – Andretti
6. Pascal Wehrlein – TAG Heuer Porsche
7. Dan Ticktum – CUPRA KIRO
8. Nick Cassidy – Jaguar TCS Racing
9. Robin Frijns – Envision Racing
10. Sacha Fenestraz – Nissan