British Formula E demolition job as Rowland stuns in Jeddah

Oliver Rowland extended his lead in the Formula E drivers' title race after winning the second race of the Jeddah E-Prix double-header.

British history was made in the race, as the top four positions were taken by drivers from the United Kingdom. 

Taylor Barnard continued his stunning rookie season and converted pole into second, whilst Jake Hughes completed the podium.

Jake Dennis and Nick Cassidy both recovered from a poor qualifying, to secure fourth and fifth at a venue which produced exceptional racing in the all-electric series.

Da Costa agony

Taylor Barnard started from pole position as the youngest driver in Formula E history to have ever done so, whilst Stoffel Vandoorne started from last after being disqualified from qualifying. 

As the lights went out at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit – following the biggest firework display in Jeddah history – it was Barnard who made an excellent start from pole. 

Behind the 20-year-old, it was agony for former championship leader ahead of the weekend Antonio Felix da Costa, who spun at Turn 4 after being struck by Friday night's winner Maximilian Günther.

Both drivers sustained damage, resulting in the duo retiring. In the opening laps, Barnard had his elbows out to maintain the lead, whilst Lucas di Grassi fought through to second after being the first driver to activate Attack Mode. 

Crucially, Saturday's race followed FE's usual format, with Pit Boost having not been in use. Dan Ticktum was another driver making early progress, moving to fourth by Lap 6.

The traditional peloton-style took effect quickly, resulting in the lead places – including P1 – changing several times.

Towards the back, McLaren's Sam Bird received a five-second time penalty for not failing the race director's instructions after sustaining front wing damage.

Lap 16 and all the lead drivers had activated their first Attack Modes. Again, it was Rowland who gained a huge advantage and led by over two seconds ahead of Barnard. 

Jean-Eric Vergne held third, with Robin Frijns and Jake Hughes having completed the top five. Crucially, Barnard took his Attack Mode a lap after Rowland, allowing him and Vergne to catch the Nissan driver. 

The strategy worked a treat, as Barnard quickly caught Rowland and swept past his former mentor into the first corner on Lap 17. However, Rowland returned into the lead a lap later. 

Rowland magic

A driver on the move was Jaguar's Nick Cassidy, who despite starting towards the back found himself in third on Lap 22 after being the first to take both Attack Modes. 

The same could not be said for Cassidy's team-mate Mitch Evans, who was forced to pit for repairs at the end of the following lap but, ultimately, retired. 

Back at the front and Jake Dennis took the lead, also thanks to taking both attack modes before the leaders. The Andretti driver also had a healthy amount of energy remaining. 

Behind, Rowland sat in second, Vergne in third with Barnard in fourth, all once they had taken their own second attack modes. 

Dennis came under attack from Rowland, Vergne, Barnard and Hughes, shuffling the Season 9 world champion down to fifth. Barnard also got past Vergne at the same time, moving him to second.

Whilst Dennis was being overtaken by the lead pack, Rowland built a one-second gap the those behind. 

Rowland was in cruise control, whilst Vergne dropped behind Hughes for third place as the Briton's attack mode continued once the Frenchman's had finished. 

Once Vergne was dismantled by Hughes, the Maserati driver tried his utmost to overtake Barnard, who defended in Max Verstappen-esque fashion. 

Turn 1 on the penultimate lap was reminiscent of Verstappen against Lewis Hamilton in 2021, with Hughes taking to the inside of the corner whilst Barnard defended aggressively.

Barnard kept second, whilst Hughes suddenly found himself under pressure from behind as Dennis had a late charge into fourth. 

At the front, there was no stopping Rowland, who claimed his second victory of the season by six seconds. Barnard, Hughes, Dennis and Cassidy completed the top five.