Tokyo E-Prix sees Nick Cassidy’s double podium and Mahindra Racing’s victory
Cassidy’s Emotional Double Podium in Tokyo
Nick Cassidy achieved a double podium finish at the Tokyo E-Prix, dedicating his performance to the late Citroen Racing team principal, Cyril Blais. The Kiwi driver secured third place in Round 14 on Saturday at the Tokyo Street Circuit and improved to second place in Round 15 on Sunday. This emotional achievement followed a period of difficulty for the team.
In Round 14, Cassidy started from seventh position and navigated a wet track to finish third, behind winner Dan Ticktum of Cupra Kiro and first runner-up Jake Dennis of Andretti. His performance in Round 15 was even stronger, as he climbed from a 13th-place start to claim second. Following his second consecutive podium, Cassidy expressed gratitude to Citroen Racing and Stellantis Motorsport, acknowledging their faith in him and their future plans. He also highlighted the significance of Tokyo to his career and the support from his friends and Japanese fans.
Cassidy paid tribute to Cyril Blais, who passed away recently at the age of 46, by pointing upwards on the podium while receiving his trophy for Round 14. He stated that finishing on the podium was challenging but amazing, crediting the team’s car and strategy. Fans and fellow drivers, including Jake Dennis, also acknowledged Cassidy’s tribute and performance.
Mahindra Racing’s Strong Performance
Mahindra Racing also had a notable weekend at the Tokyo E-Prix, with Nyck de Vries securing a victory in Sunday’s rain-affected race. This win marked the team’s second victory of the current campaign and their first multi-race victory campaign since the 2017/18 Formula E championship. The result brought Mahindra Racing within one point of third place in the teams’ championship.
De Vries’s victory, his sixth career Formula E win, came after a challenging start. He effectively managed the changing weather conditions and executed a timed race strategy as the circuit transitioned from wet to dry. His teammate, Edoardo Mortara, despite showing strong pace and claiming his fourth pole position of the season, had his race cut short due to a multi-car collision in the closing stages.
Mahindra Racing’s positive weekend began on Saturday, with Mortara qualifying second and maintaining a podium position for much of the race before finishing fifth. De Vries faced a setback with a puncture on the first lap, which dropped him to 17th. Sunday’s race presented different challenges, starting behind the Safety Car due to heavy rain. Mortara initially led from pole, but as the track dried, strategic decisions regarding tyre pressures and energy management became crucial.
Mahindra Racing employed contrasting strategies for its drivers. While Mortara lost positions, de Vries adopted a patient approach, conserving energy early on. He then activated his final six-minute Attack Mode at an opportune moment, allowing him to overtake several rivals and take the lead. A late red flag, caused by Mortara’s accident, led to a dramatic one-lap sprint to the finish. Despite pressure from Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis, de Vries secured the win for Mahindra Racing.
The team earned 25 points from Sunday’s race, contributing to a total of 38 points across the Tokyo double-header. De Vries moved to ninth in the drivers’ standings, while Mortara remained in fifth despite his retirement. Mahindra Racing now holds 210 points in the teams’ championship, trailing third-placed Andretti by a single point as the season heads into its final two rounds.
Upcoming Season Finale
Both drivers and teams will return to the track for the season 12 grand finale. The London E-Prix is scheduled for August 15 and 16, where they will compete in the GEN3 Evo one last time.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
