In a thrilling climax to its Formula E journey, DS Automobiles, under the banner of DS Penske, celebrated a remarkable victory at the London E-Prix. Driver Taylor Barnard, showcasing exceptional energy management and unwavering composure, clinched his first-ever win in the championship on his home ground. This triumph served as a fitting farewell for the manufacturer, concluding their 11-season participation with a significant addition to their already impressive racing legacy.
The concluding race in London presented a distinct strategic challenge compared to the previous day's event. With a reduced lap count of 35, down from 38, and the absence of a mandatory Pit Boost stop, teams had to recalibrate their approaches. Furthermore, drivers were granted eight minutes of Attack Mode, double the previous race, while managing a more stringent energy allowance of 28 kWh. These altered conditions demanded a complete re-evaluation of tactics, a task at which DS Penske excelled.
During the final free practice session on Sunday morning, the pace intensified significantly. The track, having experienced further wear from Saturday's action, offered enhanced grip, while consistent temperatures allowed teams to meticulously refine their car's performance. In the DS Penske garage, engineers fine-tuned the vehicle setups to instill greater confidence in both drivers for the upcoming qualifying rounds. Taylor Barnard quickly demonstrated his potential, positioning himself among the leading contenders, falling short of the fastest time by a mere hundredth of a second at the session's midpoint.
Despite a brief interruption caused by Lucas di Grassi's Lola coming to a halt, both DS E-Tense FE25 cars concluded the session within the top 10 of the '300 kW' classification, a power setting frequently utilized during races. In qualifying, both DS Penske drivers found themselves in the same group, a challenging scenario as only four of the eight competitors could advance to the quarter-finals. Nonetheless, Barnard successfully progressed to the head-to-head rounds for the tenth time this season. Although he narrowly lost to Mahindra driver Edoardo Mortara by nine hundredths of a second in the quarter-finals, he secured a strong sixth position on the starting grid.
The race commenced promptly at 3:04 pm without any major incidents, with the ongoing battle for the drivers' title encouraging a measured approach from most competitors. The two DS Penske cars strategically adopted differing energy management plans. Barnard swiftly activated the initial phase of his Attack Mode, advancing to third place, while his teammate Gunther opted for a more patient strategy in the middle of the pack, aiming to capitalize on his energy reserves later in the race.
As the race progressed, Barnard's position became increasingly advantageous. The two Mahindras ahead of him were consuming more energy, while Barnard maintained a healthier energy reserve compared to his primary rivals. Nearing the final third of the race, a podium finish was within his grasp, despite the inherent risks of the remaining 12 laps. Displaying remarkable control of his DS E-Tense FE25, Barnard expertly fended off challenges from the Porsches and Jaguars, all while meticulously preserving his energy. When Evans, a championship contender, activated his Attack Mode behind him, the DS driver held a commanding lead of over four seconds, a gap too significant for the Jaguar to close.
With Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara activating their final six minutes of boosted power almost simultaneously, Barnard, with only four minutes remaining, patiently bided his time—a decision that proved to be pivotal. Having closed the gap to just over a second behind Mortara, he then activated his 350 kW mode, gaining two minutes of increased power and an additional two percent of energy. With this surge, the Briton overtook Mortara to claim second place. Then, with four laps remaining, he was right on De Vries's tail. Maximizing the final moments of his Attack Mode, Barnard executed a decisive move, confidently seizing the lead and never looking back.
This victory, the last of the Gen3 era, not only celebrates Barnard's first Formula E win but also signifies the culmination of DS Automobiles' significant involvement in the championship. Over 11 seasons and three generations of electric single-seaters, the manufacturer has amassed an impressive record of four world titles, 19 race victories, 56 podium finishes, and 26 pole positions, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
