Nyck de Vries claimed victory in the 10th edition of the Monaco E-Prix on Saturday, May 16, after a tactically charged race through the streets of Monte-Carlo, securing Mahindra Racing’s first win in the Principality.
Starting from second on the grid, the Dutch driver delivered a composed and strategic performance to finish ahead of Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing and Cupra Kiro’s Josep Maria Martí, who inherited third place following a post-race penalty handed to teammate Dan Ticktum.
The victory marked de Vries’ fifth career Formula E success and his first in Monaco, while Evans’ second-place finish was enough to move the New Zealander to the top of the drivers’ championship standings.
The race unfolded in front of packed grandstands and a star-studded paddock, with several Formula 1 personalities spotted on the grid before lights out, including Carlos Sainz, Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, alongside team boss Christian Horner and veteran motorsport executive Flavio Briatore. French driver Doriane Pin was also in attendance following her recent appointment as a development driver for Citroën Racing.
Pole-sitter Dan Ticktum initially controlled proceedings after converting his surprise qualifying performance into an early lead. The Briton managed the pace confidently during the opening phase despite a brief safety car intervention triggered by contact between Nick Cassidy and Jake Dennis at the Nouvelle Chicane.
But the race shifted dramatically around the mandatory Pit Boost sequence, which once again proved decisive around Monaco’s tight and unforgiving circuit. Ticktum lost crucial track position after pitting on lap 19, rejoining behind de Vries, Evans and António Félix da Costa.
De Vries had stopped several laps earlier, a move that ultimately handed the Mahindra driver control of the race.
Ticktum briefly fought back through the field and overtook da Costa before another clash at the Nouvelle Chicane between the two drivers ended the Portuguese racer’s afternoon and brought out a Full Course Yellow.
At the front, de Vries remained untroubled during the closing laps, managing energy and strategy flawlessly to seal a breakthrough win for Mahindra Racing after several difficult seasons for the team.
Speaking after the race, the Dutchman praised the work done behind the scenes to return Mahindra to competitiveness, describing the victory as a reward for the team’s persistence and development efforts.
Meanwhile, Evans capitalised on a disappointing result for Porsche rival Pascal Wehrlein, who could only finish 18th, to move into the overall championship lead on 116 points.
Formula E action in Monaco continues on Sunday, May 17 with the 11th Monaco E-Prix, as the all-electric championship delivers a second race around the Principality’s iconic street circuit.
Image courtesy of ACM