DS Penske Makes History with Spectacular One-Two Finish as Guenther and Vergne Dominate Shanghai E-Prix

DS Penske achieved a monumental milestone in Formula E history by securing their first-ever one-two finish at the 2025 Hankook Shanghai E-Prix, with Maximilian Guenther claiming victory and Jean-Eric Vergne delivering a masterclass in strategic racing to snatch second place in a thrilling final lap surge. The result marks not only the team's maiden one-two finish but also represents the first such achievement by an American team in Formula E's eleven-season history.

Guenther, starting from pole position, executed a flawless strategic performance that saw him emerge victorious by a commanding seven-second margin over his teammate. The German driver's second win of Season 11 came after a perfectly timed deployment of his final Attack Mode boost, allowing him to overtake championship leader Oliver Rowland with just three laps remaining and build an insurmountable lead to the checkered flag. The race unfolded as a tactical masterpiece, with Guenther initially losing the lead at Turn 1 to Pascal Wehrlein's Porsche but remaining patient throughout the 29-lap contest. The polesitter's strategic brilliance became evident in the closing stages when he saved his final four-minute Attack Mode boost for lap 26, using the extra 50kW power advantage to sweep past Rowland and establish the race-winning gap that would ultimately deliver DS Penske's historic triumph.

Vergne's contribution to the one-two finish proved equally spectacular, despite starting outside the top ten and running in fifth position entering the final lap. The two-time Formula E champion demonstrated why experience matters in electric racing's most unpredictable series, capitalizing on a late-race battle between Taylor Barnard, Dan Ticktum, and Oliver Rowland to execute a brilliant inside move at the final chicane that elevated him from fifth to second in a single corner.

According to FE Notebook, Vergne employed a calculated energy-saving strategy, stating: "I was like it makes no sense to overtake when everybody is over-consuming because then it's just going to mean I will end up in a worse situation. So, I tried to save as much as possible just before my second attack." This tactical approach enabled the Frenchman to have sufficient energy reserves for his dramatic final-lap charge, securing his first podium of Season 11 and extending his record as Formula E's all-time highest points scorer.

The Shanghai International Circuit witnessed one of the most complex races in Formula E's pit boost era, combining the series' traditional peloton-style pack racing with mandatory 30-second pit stops for fast charging. The Race noted that this was "the first time the pit boost fast-charging format had been used at a track where the high energy saving 'peloton' tactics were likely," creating unprecedented strategic complexity that DS Penske navigated with exceptional precision.

Taylor Barnard completed the podium for NEOM McLaren, marking the rookie's fifth podium of the season on the eve of his 21st birthday. The British driver had briefly led the race after a stunning chicane maneuver on lap 21, building a two-second advantage before the late-race reshuffling that elevated the DS Penske duo. Dan Ticktum finished fourth for CUPRA KIRO after climbing from 21st on the grid, while championship leader Rowland could only manage fifth despite leading during the middle stages of the race.

DS Penske Deputy Team Principal Phil Charles described the achievement as "a race day we will remember," highlighting the significance of the result for the Franco-American squad. The team's strategic acumen, developed under Charles's guidance since joining as deputy team principal last season, proved crucial in managing the complex interplay between Attack Mode deployments, pit stop timing, and energy management that defined the Shanghai contest.

The championship implications of Shanghai's opening race were significant, with Rowland maintaining his points lead despite the disappointing result. Current standings show Rowland leading with a substantial margin, while Barnard moved into second place in the drivers' championship following his podium finish and Pascal Wehrlein's failure to score points after starting from the second row.

For DS Penske, the Shanghai triumph represents validation of their championship aspirations in Season 11. The team has been "a constant presence in Formula E" since the series' inaugural season but had never achieved the ultimate team result until Guenther and Vergne's Shanghai masterclass. With multiple victories this season, DS Penske has established itself as the primary challenger to Nissan's dominance in both the teams' and manufacturers' championships.

The race also showcased Formula E's commitment to sustainability and innovation, with the event running on renewable energy and including local community initiatives and donations while demonstrating the advanced capabilities of the Gen3 Evo cars that can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 1.82 seconds.

Looking ahead to Round 11 in Shanghai, weather concerns forced Formula E officials to modify the race schedule, but DS Penske's momentum from their historic achievement positions them as strong contenders for another standout performance. The team's strategic prowess, combined with the proven speed of both Guenther and Vergne, suggests that their Shanghai breakthrough could mark the beginning of a sustained championship challenge in the remainder of Season 11.