Formula E: Historic debut and first podium for Citroën in São Paulo

A historic weekend has just concluded for Citroën. For the very first time in its illustrious motorsport history, the brand took its place on the starting grid of a Formula E race. Expectations were high, mixed with excitement and curiosity about how the new single-seater would stack up against established teams in the discipline.

This first round of the world championship was not just a learning experience; it concluded with a result that exceeded initial expectations. With a promising maiden podium, Citroën proved it is not just participating, but competing at the front. This inaugural race certainly whets the appetite for the rest of the season.

A strategic masterclass in São Paulo

The setting for this foundational event was the demanding street circuit of São Paulo, Brazil, for the opening round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The weekend began with mixed fortunes during practice and qualifying for the brand-new Citroën Racing Formula E Team. On one hand, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne demonstrated the car's raw speed by securing a solid 8th place on the grid, confirming the vehicle's potential over a flying lap. On the other hand, New Zealander Nick Cassidy had a more complex qualifying session, relegating him to the 15th position.

However, the magic of electric racing truly came alive during the E-Prix. The race highlighted the team's resilience and the sheer performance of the Citroën powertrain. Nick Cassidy delivered a masterful performance. Starting from the midfield in Formula E is often perilous, prone to collisions, but the driver navigated the chaos with rare intelligence.

Throughout the 31 laps, Cassidy displayed exemplary energy management, a crucial parameter in this series. Thanks to a strategy perfectly executed by the pit wall and decisive overtakes on track, he progressively climbed up the order. His acceleration in the final stages, while other drivers struggled with energy degradation, was the highlight of his drive. This fantastic recovery, from P15 to P3, allowed Citroën to secure its very first top-3 finish in its debut appearance.

The picture could have been even more perfect were it not for the misfortune that struck Jean-Eric Vergne. The double champion was driving a solid race and looked set to score important points. Unfortunately, his race ended prematurely on lap 27 of 30 due to a technical issue that prevented him from restarting after a red flag. While the team must now conduct a full diagnosis to understand the cause, the performance shown by the Frenchman remains extremely encouraging for the future.

Reactions: satisfaction and hunger for more

Following this inaugural round, the general sentiment within Citroën Racing is overwhelmingly positive, despite the slight frustration regarding Vergne's car. The key figures of this success emphasized the importance of this moment for the brand.

Cyril Blais, the Team Principal, did not hide his pride in seeing the team materialize months of hard work into an immediate trophy:

“Starting a brand-new chapter for Citroën Racing with a podium is an incredible achievement for the team. Nick drove a phenomenal race, and although we are disappointed for JEV as he did a great job all weekend, it was a technical issue, and we are confident we will come back even stronger.”

Blais highlights the momentum this result brings to the group, proving that Citroën has “its rightful place on the global stage of all-electric racing.”

On the drivers' side, Nick Cassidy savored this special moment, the result of intense development work during the off-season:

“I am very happy for the entire Citroën Racing team: getting a podium in our first race together is truly something special. [...] I was disappointed with my qualifying because we have a fast car and I couldn't show its potential. But it all played out in the race, and all that hard work finally paid off!”

Jean-Eric Vergne, despite his DNF (Did Not Finish), maintains a constructive mindset focused on collective performance. He believes a P7 finish was within reach without the technical incident:

“We now need to work with the team to analyze our areas for improvement. On the positive side, Nick brings the first podium to the team, which is great, especially in the first race of the season.”

The team now has its eyes set on the next challenge. The paddock will reconvene on January 10, 2026, for the second round in Mexico City. The ambition will be clear: to capitalize on this excellent foundation and prove that this podium was not a one-off.

Citroën begins its first Formula E season in the best possible way. This first podium secured by Nick Cassidy is more than just a trophy; it is a statement of intent. The performance is all the more remarkable considering the New Zealander's starting position, illustrating the intrinsic competitiveness of the French single-seater in race conditions.

This historic result confirms the brand's commitment to electrification and high-performance engineering. Above all, it gives immense hope for the remainder of the season. Fans can legitimately hope to see their beloved brand shine on circuits around the world. See you in Mexico to confirm this spectacular takeoff.