The five Formula E title contenders to watch

Formula E’s 12th campaign, which gets underway this Saturday in São Paulo, could be its closest yet, with the championship entering the final season of the Gen3 era.

As with any motorsport series, the field closes together as it reaches the end of a regulation or car cycle. There is already a firm eye on the introduction of Gen4 next season, but a final 17 races remain for the Gen3 EVO to stretch its legs, starting with the traditionally chaotic – but equally brilliant – São Paulo E-Prix.

Nissan’s Oliver Rowland enters as the reigning world champion, but can he defend his crown? He faces fierce competition, as RacingNews365’s Nick Golding looks at the five likely title contenders.

Oliver Rowland

Unsurprisingly, Rowland is very much expected to be in the title fight, as he looks to join Jean-Éric Vergne as just the second driver in Formula E history to defend the drivers’ title. He has opted for the #1 plate, something which has historically been a bad omen. If any driver can change that, Rowland is that guy.

The Briton was unstoppable across the first half of last season, picking up victories as easily as ever seen in the category. However, his form tailed off considerably in the closing rounds, although his advantage was so significant that it hardly mattered, as he still secured the championship with two races to go in London.

Testing in Valencia went very smoothly for Nissan, who clearly did not prioritise running at full power until the final minutes of the last test session, in which Rowland went fastest.

In short, Rowland stands a real shot at defending his title.

Pascal Wehrlein

For Rowland to become world champion, Pascal Wehrlein had to be dethroned. Season 11 was a strange one for the Porsche driver, who suffered from bad luck in the majority of events – he even ended the season-opener in São Paulo upside down after a freak but terrifying accident.

Wehrlein showed strong pace at almost every circuit and, had things gone his way rather than against him, he likely would have taken his failed title defence down to the wire. 

In pre-season testing, Porsche looked silky smooth and perhaps kept some performance in reserve, with good lap times coming comfortably to Wehrlein.

The German will fancy his title chances if luck works in his favour – something which has already happened with the exit of António Félix da Costa and the arrival of Nico Müller.

Jake Dennis

It has been just over two years since Jake Dennis sealed the Season 9 title in 2023, but the final year of Gen3 could be his best chance yet at a second drivers’ title. 

Andretti’s lead driver has faced two challenging campaigns since becoming world champion, but in testing there was a sudden sense of things beginning to click again.

The pressure of being the team’s main source of points has gone, following the arrival of the highly rated Felipe Drugovich. Dennis looked comfortable and, most importantly, seriously quick in Valencia. 

A confident Dennis is a fast — and at times unbeatable — Dennis. If he can start the season well and build some momentum, do not be surprised if he is in the title fight come the closing rounds.

Nyck de Vries

Nyck de Vries’ addition to this list might surprise a few, but Formula E’s first world champion found his form last season, in what was his second year back in the series following his short-lived spell with AlphaTauri in F1. His return to form was boosted by Mahindra’s competitive package, which looked just as good, if not better, in testing.

De Vries ended Season 11 with back-to-back podiums in London — a level of competitiveness that will bode very well for him if he can continue it at the start of Season 12. 

Mahindra topped almost every session in testing and, whilst some teams were clearly holding pace back, the Indian manufacturer and de Vries could be in with a real shot at the drivers’ title.

Could de Vries become the second two-time champion before the likes of Rowland, Wehrlein and da Costa?

Dan Ticktum

He couldn’t, could he? Dan Ticktum is the last driver on this list, and for a very good reason! Ticktum finally had a package in Season 11 that allowed him to truly demonstrate the ability everyone knew he had but had been unable to show for reasons outside his control. 

He became a regular frontrunner towards the end of last season and is clearly thriving in the Cupra Kiro since Forest Road’s takeover. Ticktum will fancy his chances going into the new season, knowing that he will again have a car he can fight with. 

You would be a fool to bet against Ticktum in a fight! Of the five, he is perhaps the biggest outsider, but Formula E is a series known for its fairytale stories. 

Could Ticktum get his in Season 12?