Sao Paulo ePrix – Jake Dennis clinches victory ahead of Oliver Rowland and Nick Cassidy after a dramatic Season 12 opener in Brazil

Jake Dennis is the Sao Paulo ePrix winner, securing glory after a dramatic day of racing. Dennis looked calm and confident throughout the ePrix, clinching the win after a dramatic final lap. 

Reigning champion Oliver Rowland and Citroen Racing’s Nick Cassidy rounded out the podium in what was an incredible drive. Both drivers carved through the pack, storming through the order after qualifying outside the top 10.

There was drama throughout, with the ePrix featuring multiple safety cars, one full course yellow and a red flag stoppage.

One of the biggest talking points arrived on lap 28, with Pepe Marti suffering a crash at the start of the full-course yellow period. The car rolled, but luckily, Martin was quickly out of the car and okay, leading to a restart.

Just 12 drivers finished the ePrix as Season 12 began in dramatic fashion. Next up: Mexico City.

Nick Cassidy completes his first ePrix with Citroen, finishing on the podium after qualifying outside the top 10!

Cassidy said: "It’s awesome for everyone at Citroen Racing, it has been a big off-season, and it has not been an easy day with qualifying not going to plan. I’m very happy for everyone to start in this way with a podium.

"Honestly, points-wise, it was more than expected, and I am really happy.

"A great strategy from the team, communication was very good, their plan was very good, and a lot of information before the race, so I think we executed more or less what we said, so it was very good.

"It’s amazing to have Citroen in Formula E, and to start with Citroen like this is fantastic!"

After carving through the order, reigning champion Oliver Rowland ends the ePrix in second position, scoring some solid and important points!

Rowland said: "Very pleased, especially after this morning when we didn’t have the best qualifying and brought our three-place grid penalty from London. I think to get second is a great result!

"We got lucky today with certain safety cars and full-course yellows during attack mode for the others, but I am delighted with the result, and I’ll take the points.

"I think it’s going to be extremely close this year, so any points you can get the better, and it’s 18 more than I got last year, so it’s a better start!"

Jake Dennis becomes the first driver to convert pole to victory in Sao Paulo, and he gave his full reaction to an incredible ePrix!

Dennis added: "Good strategy, a good race car and good track position when we need it. That first attack was crucial, but it looked like it was ours, being comfortably in the lead just before the red flag, and then I wasn’t too sure how it was going to play out.

"I didn’t get a win last season, and to get it back in the first race is a testimony to the off-season work!

"It is the big boss’s birthday, so happy birthday to him, and it’s my engineer’s birthday tomorrow, so a double whammy, and I don’t have to get them a present now!

"I'm just happy to be winning races, to be honest! Whether we win the championship or not, we will have to wait until London. It’s just a massive relief as there’s been a tough couple of times since Season 9 when I became world champion.

"To get my win back is good!"

Jake Dennis makes his way back into the pits now, giving his first reaction on the cooldown lap.

Dennis said: "It's always going to be difficult. I wasn't too sure how it was going to play after that red flag, but I am so stoked, honestly! It’s been a challenge for me to win these races; I've finished second so many times, and to finally get the dub is a credit to the team!"

The one-lap shootout got under with Dennis leading the field over the line from Rowland and Cassidy. Over the opening half of the last lap, Dennis stretched the margin to over one second – cementing his incredible pace. Rowland was unable to respond, remaining in second position as Dennis charged to victory!

Currently, the cars are back on track, Dennis leads the field from Rowland and Cassidy under safety car conditions. The fans are on their feet for what could be a busy end to the ePrix!

We have had our first look at the replay of the incident, luckily everyone looks to be okay after this scary crash…

It looks like the ePrix could be resumed! The provisional plan is to restart at 18:01 (GMT) for the final couple of laps. It’s going to be a flat-out end to the ePrix, with some battle scars truly showing on some of the cars.

We are currently on lap 28/30!

While we await news on what the restart could look like, and while the recovery continues on the circuit. Let’s take a look at the start of the ePrix and what happened between the two Mahindra drivers.

The full course yellow was brought out further back following a crash involving Evans. Moments later, Marti was involved in a separate incident, hitting the back of two machines at the start of the full course yellow and bringing out the red flag.

Luckily, Marti is on his feet and out of the car, with everyone wondering what will happen with a restart.

Let’s go racing once more! Rowland made a great restart, holding the advantage with Jake Dennis entering the ATTACK MODE zone. Dennis was fourth after heading through the activated zone, quickly charging through Wehrlein and Cassidy in what could prove to be crucial overtakes!

With the ePrix naturalised at the moment, let’s take a look at how things stand! 

Rowland currently leads after using his second ATTACK MODE, sitting ahead of Cassidy and Dennis. Wehrlein and da Costa currently round out the top five runners, with Muller and Eriksson behind. Drugovich, Gunther and Buemi round out the top 10!

No extra laps will be added on, due to the late race safety car.

The safety car is out in Brazil! Mortara is out following contact with di Grassi’s LOLA Yamaha – ending the Mahindra Racing driver’s day. The incident is under investigation from the stewards, with di Grassi entering the pits to retire from damage.

It brings a massive disadvantage to the drivers who have already used their second ATTACK MODE. It also means any penalty given will be served at the next ePrix…

Oliver Rowland has begun his final ATTACK MODE of the ePrix. He begins his final four minutes with extra power. Is it too early? Or is this what the reigning champion needs to position himself for the end of the race? Let's find out!

The Nissan team and Rowland opted to use their attack mode early, with the high temperatures and humidity coming into play today.

Cassidy, Eriksson, di Grassi, Gunther and Buemi have also taken their ATTACK MODE with a blockbuster finish in store!

Incredible racing throughout the order, with nobody able to break away from this aggressive pack. The yellow flag is out at the opening sector, with Nato stopped at the side of the circuit – no safety car needed yet.

We’ve also had a listen to Ticktum’s radio, with the British star choosing to retire from the ePrix after serving his penalty.

Dennis has had some motivational messages over the radio, with the British star doing a good job at saving energy. The lowest energy left inside the top 10 is Nato, which went from bad to worse after suffering a puncture on lap 17.

The two Nissan drivers have got their elbows while fighting inside the top 10 – making contact. Nato was forced to pit and was lucky to keep the car away from the wall…

Wehrlein has taken his first ATTACK MODE and is now in the lead of the ePrix! The No. 94 sits ahead of Nato and Mortara, with polesitter Dennis back to fourth position – sitting ahead of Da Costa. Buemi, Rowland, Evans, Marti and Barnard round out the top 10 – what an evening we are having!

The pace is getting faster in Brazil, and so is the stewards’ room. Ticktum is under investigation by the stewards for his trip to the pits. The British star was then handed a drive-through penalty for a burnout in the pits – a new regulation for this season. Any hope of points is beginning to disappear as he and the Cupra squad hope for a safety car.

Oliver Rowland is continuing to remain calm, carving through the order after starting from P13. The reigning champion first entered the top 10 before remarkably snatching the lead on the ninth lap. The Nissan driver has used his ATTACK MODE now, with Da Costa beginning his chase.

Currently, Wehrlein has yet to use any ATTACK MODE. Could this be the Porsche driver’s day?