Motorsport TechnologyLucas di Grassi timed his Attack Mode to perfection to overtake Jean-Eric Vergne and Joel Ericsson and win race 2 of the Shanghai ePrix.
A late full course yellow caused by a suspension failure for Lola Yamaha teammate Zane Maloney played nicely into Di Grassi’s hands as he then reeled in his rivals under Attack Mode.
Victory for Di Grassi comes in his final Formula E season and was made even more special in that it represented the first for the new Lola Yamaha team.
Interestingly, the Brazilian’s first win since 2022 came in the country of his first FE win back in 2014 and he also becomes the sport’s oldest winner at 41 years and 328 days old.
“I won the first race here in China – there’s nothing better than winning my last,” Di Grassi is quoted on the official Formula E website.
“We took the right risks today, but in the position we were, we had to take those risks, and I’m so glad we managed to make it.
Making history ✍️
12 years after his first win in China, @LucasdiGrassi brings it home in P1 for @LolaFormulaE in Shanghai 🤩#ShanghaiEPrix #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/11t0FSIShO
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 5, 2026
“It was a great battle with JEV [Jean-Éric Vergne], a great battle with Joel [Eriksson] at the end, and I’m so happy that we pulled it off.
“We’ve been working flat out, it’s not always been easy, but moments like this is why we do all of this. I’m still winning races!”
For old rival Vergne, second place still represents a welcome return to form, the Citroën Racing driver just unable to hang onto his lead on the final lap.
“I’m feeling very good – I’m actually very happy to be very frustrated with P2!” added Vergne.
“Considering the season we’ve had, having a podium here today is fantastic, especially considering where we started.
“Both Lucas [di Grassi] and I were talking on the grid like: ‘lost for lost, you know, let’s try and use the dry pressure’.
“Actually, I couldn’t even follow the Safety Car at the beginning, so I got asked by the engineers to put the wet pressure, but I fought back.
“Luckily we did, and I’m very happy for the team. It’s been a rough season, so having a podium is nice.”
Pure emotion for @LucasdiGrassi and @LolaFormulaE after their win in Shanghai 🥹#ShanghaiEPrix #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/rfjqwH71Xs
— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) July 5, 2026
The latest results mean that Race 1 winner Pascal Wehrlein leads the championship standings by just nine points from Jaguar’s Mitch Evans with Nissan’s Oliver Rowland a further 18 points behind the Australian.
Racing resumes in Tokyo, for Rounds 14 and 15 on Saturday 25th and 26th July 2026.
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Fraser Masefield