Nick Cassidy delivered one of the standout performances of the Formula E weekend in Tokyo, claiming back-to-back podium finishes as the Citroën Racing team rallied together following the sudden passing of Team Principal Cyril Blais.
The Formula E paddock united in support of the team throughout the weekend, with a minute’s silence held before Saturday’s opening race to honour Blais, whose death earlier in the week cast a sombre mood over the double-header.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Cassidy produced two superb drives to finish third in Round 14 before backing it up with second place in Round 15, while fellow Kiwi Mitch Evans endured a mixed weekend that leaves the championship battle heading to a dramatic finale in London.
Cassidy started Saturday’s opening race from seventh on the grid, while Evans faced a tougher challenge after qualifying 16th.
Jake Dennis converted pole position into the early race lead, while Evans immediately gained ground on the opening lap by passing Oliver Rowland. Cassidy also moved forward after early incidents involving Nyck de Vries and Nico Müller promoted him into sixth.
Evans continued his recovery through the opening laps before briefly losing a position to Sébastien Buemi, who was later handed a five-second penalty for first-lap contact with De Vries.
As the race reached its halfway point, the mandatory Pit Boost stops began. Cassidy pitted first before Evans completed his stop a lap later, rejoining further down the order.
Strong strategy and well-timed Attack Mode deployments transformed both Kiwis’ races. Cassidy climbed into podium contention while Evans surged from outside the top 15 to fifth after making full use of his extra power.
The race appeared to be swinging in Jake Dennis’ favour after he reclaimed the lead from Dan Ticktum, but the Brit produced a sensational last-lap move at Turn 16 to snatch victory only a handful of corners from the finish.
Ticktum crossed the line first ahead of Dennis, with Cassidy completing the podium after another measured drive through the field.
Taylor Barnard ran out of energy in the closing corners, allowing Evans to climb to fourth and score valuable championship points.
The result lifted Evans back to the top of the championship standings on 144 points, three clear of Pascal Wehrlein, while Cassidy moved to 86 points in eighth.
After the race, Cassidy admitted the podium carried mixed emotions.
“I don’t really know how to feel because Japan’s been a very special place for me and where I’ve built my career. I’ve just wanted a great weekend and great results for me since we started coming here. It’s hard in a way, I want to celebrate and in another way I was breaking down.”
Cassidy dedicated the result to Cyril Blais along with his family, friends and the entire Citroën Racing team, with Ticktum also acknowledging Blais during his victory celebrations.
Sunday’s second race presented a different challenge, with persistent rain leaving the Tokyo street circuit wet for the final race of the weekend.
Qualifying proved more difficult for Cassidy, who lined up 13th, while Evans secured seventh on the grid.
After an opening lap behind the Safety Car, the field took a standing start, with Evans making an outstanding launch. The Jaguar driver swept around the outside through Turn 1 to gain two positions and settle into fifth.
Antonio Félix da Costa soon took control at the front, passing pole-sitter Edoardo Mortara before building a comfortable lead.
A Full Course Yellow interrupted the race after contact between Buemi and Josep María Martí sent Martí into the barriers and out of the race.
As racing resumed, Cassidy began carving through the field. His first Attack Mode deployment elevated him into the top 10 before a second activation sparked one of the drives of the season.
Within only a handful of laps, the Kiwi climbed from ninth to second and began chasing race leader Nyck de Vries.
Evans’ afternoon unravelled in contrast. After running inside the top six for much of the race, he gradually slipped backwards before becoming an innocent victim in a multi-car incident involving Mortara, Joel Eriksson and Ticktum. The crash brought out the red flag and ended Evans’ race.
Following a short delay, the race resumed for a one-lap sprint to the finish.
De Vries held on to claim victory, while Cassidy secured second place to complete an emotional double podium weekend. Dennis finished third.
Evans’ retirement proved costly in the title race.
Having led the standings after Saturday’s race, the Kiwi slipped back to second after failing to score on Sunday.
Dennis now leads the championship on 146 points, with Evans just two points behind on 144. Cassidy’s strong weekend lifts him to seventh in the standings with 104 points.
The Formula E title will now be decided at the final two races of the 2025/26 season in London on August 15-16, with Evans firmly in contention alongside Dennis, Wehrlein and Rowland in what promises to be a thrilling championship decider.
Header Image: Takashi Aoyama/LAT Images
