Formula E: Sam Bird Secures McLaren's First Win at Sao Paulo E-Prix

Sam Bird won the exciting 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix, marking an important moment for McLaren in Formula E. In his third race with McLaren, Bird showed off his skills by passing former teammate Mitch Evans in a last-lap move. After a difficult run with Jaguar and Evans, Bird's triumph was a demonstration of his resiliency. Bird showed his promise by taking the lead at many points in the Brazilian race, even though he started fifth on the grid. On the last lap, Bird showed off his incredible talent and planning by seizing the chance, making a daring move on Turn 10 to outmanoeuvre Evans on the outside, and then taking the lead on the last turn at Turn 11.

In second position, Evans earned his first podium of the season. A thrilling duel for third place came to a head on the last lap of the race, and it was Oliver Rowland's breathtaking move on the last turn that gave Nissan their second consecutive podium finish. Pascal Wehrlein, who started on pole, took the lead and never looked back on the first lap, while Stoffel Vandoorne held on for second. But as the race progressed, the 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix became a lasting memory in Formula E history thanks to Bird's effort and Rowland's surprising late charge.

Formula E: Sao Paulo E-Prix Race Result

Bird and Evans seemed like they were going to hold on to their lead as the race drew to a close. Dennis, who was in third place was unable to take advantage of the lead pair due to his car's overheating problems. With just seven circuits to go—plus three additional ones for stints under the Safety Car—Evans seemed to take the lead after a daring manoeuvre around Bird's outside at Turn 3.

Nonetheless, Dennis was not yet prepared to give in. Aiming for the top place on the podium, he launched a last-gasp manoeuvre on his old teammate and opponent, Bird, aware of his winless run since Formula E's visit to New York City in 2021. With Turn 10 being his last chance for a decisive move, Bird fearlessly maintained the outside line, reclaimed the lead going into Turn 11, and eventually won the race with Evans only half a second behind. Among the most spectacular leaps and landings in Formula E's ten-year history, without a question.

The Porsche-powered Andretti driver had to gingerly steer his vehicle to the finish line while Dennis battled with extreme temperatures. Oliver Rowland (Nissan) was able to take advantage of the situation as the current champion fought off Wehrlein. In a frantic race to the finish line, Rowland of Yorkshire brilliantly passed both opponents at the penultimate bend to claim third place; Wehrlein just beat Dennis to fourth.

In a race with 212 competitive overtakes, Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche finished sixth, but Sergio Sette Camara of ERT and Lucas di Grassi of ABT CUPRA, both from Brazil, failed to make much progress and finished sixteenth and thirteenth, respectively.

His advantage in the standings was significantly diminished due to Cassidy's collision and inability to gain points. Evans is in third position with 39 points in the Drivers' World Championship, closely followed by Wehrlein in second place with 53 points. The lead is currently only three points. With 96 points against TAG Heuer Porsche's 61 points, Jaguar TCS Racing is on top of the Teams' standings.