Oliver Roland Secures First Home Victory for Nissan at Tokyo E-Prix

A Historic Win for Nissan at the Tokyo E-Prix

On May 18, 2025, at the Tokyo E-Prix, Oliver Roland of the Nissan Formula E team celebrated a remarkable victory, achieving his fourth win of the season and marking Nissan's first home win in this exhilarating racing series. Starting from pole position, Roland faced a challenging race as he momentarily dropped to sixth after activating his ATTACK MODE. However, he capitalized on the last few seconds of the race, utilizing the 50kW four-wheel drive boost to surge past reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, who fought hard to defend his position.

Roland's victory is a testament to his remarkable performance record in Tokyo, previously achieving three pole positions and two podium finishes in the past Formula E races held in the city. The stands were filled with ecstatic fans donning Nissan's signature red as they cheered for their home hero. Despite Wehrlein's best efforts to maintain his lead during a thrilling battle through turns 15 and 16, he ultimately settled for second place. Meanwhile, Dan Ticktum from CUPRA KIRO secured an impressive third place, marking his debut on the Formula E podium, although he had hoped for a higher finish following the late arrival of the FIA Safety Car.

Jake Dennis from Andretti Formula E showed remarkable skill, climbing from a 14th grid position to finish fourth, thanks to adept use of ATTACK MODE. Lucas di Grassi of the ABT Formula E Team displayed resilience to finish fifth, while Jean-Eric Vergne from DS PENSKE wrapped up the race in sixth place.

As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship reaches its mid-season, Roland leads the standings with an impressive 161 points, creating a significant gap from Wehrlein, who holds 84 points. This points difference marks the largest ever recorded at this stage of the Formula E season. Nissan currently leads in both the team and manufacturers’ championships, further establishing its dominance in the series.

In a post-race interview, Roland expressed his joy, stating, "I am speechless! The early part of the race didn't go according to plan, and I was quite disappointed with myself. But I realized that everyone was planning to undercut me, so I thought, ‘We have six minutes left; let’s make our move.’ Luckily, it paid off. I knew I had to be strong on the first lap, and while it worked today, I think luck was on my side too. I’ve always said we have to keep pushing in Tokyo and Shanghai to expand our championship lead."

Wehrlein shared his thoughts on a tough race and acknowledged Roland's driving. He commented, "It was a significant day overall. Yesterday's conditions were challenging. I'm still a bit disappointed because I believe we could have achieved a better result. When Oliver activated ATTACK MODE, I had no means to defend my position. However, it’s important to analyze where we can improve going forward. Second place is still a good result for us."

Ticktum expressed his excitement after achieving a podium position, stating, "I feel great! I keep thinking about what I could have done differently to win, but overall, I’m really satisfied, and this is a big boost for the team. This season hasn’t provided many breakthroughs, but I believe we’ve finally achieved one."

The star-studded event on the second day of the Tokyo E-Prix attracted notable figures, including South African rugby player Faf de Klerk, who enjoyed the race alongside actor Sun Kang and content creators Vinny Hacker and Jet Ashford. The fan village also featured a dynamic performance by R&B singer-songwriter SIRUP, adding to the electrifying atmosphere of the race weekend.

The Tokyo E-Prix not only spotlighted thrilling racing but also focused on sustainability efforts. The event utilized renewable energy sources, primarily sustainable HVO fuel, and hosted various initiatives aimed at community engagement. Over 2,000 local residents participated in the ‘Inspiration Hour,’ gaining insights into the world of Formula E and sustainable motorsport.

Roland's recent victory propels him into a strong position as the championship progresses into the upcoming doubleheader round in Shanghai on May 31 and June 1, 2025. With momentum on his side, fans and teammates alike are eager to see how he leverages this lead in the next race.