Frustration in Formula E’s final chapter of the season, as Vandoorne and Hughes battle misfortune on the streets of London
London, 28 July 2025 – What could have been a points-paying close to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship instead ended in disappointment for Maserati MSG Racing, as both Stoffel Vandoorne and Jake Hughes saw their strong performances unravel due to race incidents in a chaotic London E-Prix. A weekend that began with promise ultimately closed the curtain on a season of flashes of brilliance – but one consistently marred by misfortune.
Early Promise Undone by Unpredictability
Despite a difficult start for Jake Hughes, who sat out the early practice session due to a necessary battery change following an electrical issue, the British driver rallied to make the grid in time for qualifying. However, a disrupted rhythm meant he could only muster P17 in Group B. Meanwhile, teammate Stoffel Vandoorne once again showed his affinity for the London ExCeL layout, placing a strong P4 in his group to reach the Duels. There, a small misjudgement in the quarter-final against CUPRA KIRO’s Dan Ticktum kept him from progressing further, netting him a solid P7 starting slot.
When the lights went out, both Maserati MSG drivers made positive gains. Vandoorne slotted into the top ten and looked poised for another impressive result. Hughes, executing a calculated energy-saving strategy, found himself climbing the order with eyes on a late-race Attack Mode push. The scene was set for a double-points finish.
But London had other ideas.
Wing Damage and a Puncture Derail the Trident’s Assault
For Vandoorne, it all unravelled early. Caught in a midfield skirmish, he was a victim of the tight, stop-start nature of the opening sector – his front wing clipped off in the melee. A pit stop for repairs saw him tumble down the order, and despite the intervention of a safety car that briefly rekindled hopes, the Belgian could do no better than P12 at the chequered flag.
Jake Hughes, too, had carved his way into contention, climbing into seventh with Attack Mode still in hand. A podium may have been a long shot, but points looked all but certain. That was, until an untimely puncture forced him into the pits – a cruel blow that dropped him to the rear of the field and ended his charge.
A Season Defined by ‘What Ifs’
The race mirrored a recurring theme in Maserati MSG Racing’s 2025 campaign: raw pace and strategic acumen ultimately hampered by forces outside their control. Neither driver lacked for performance – both have consistently shown themselves capable of challenging inside the top ten – but recurring incidents and bad luck repeatedly compromised race-day results.
Jake Hughes, reflecting candidly, said:
“This weekend has been pretty much, in a nutshell, our season capsulated in a weekend… very good pace, very good energy management, and then unfortunately, we got taken out – again. I know I’ve driven better than ever this year, and the team’s done a great job too. We could easily have double the points. It’s frustrating, but I go into the off-season proud.”
Stoffel Vandoorne echoed the sentiment:
“We had front wing damage pretty early, and from then on it was just hoping for a safety car. It came, but we still struggled for pace. It’s not how we wanted to end things – the potential was there.”
Looking Ahead to Season 12
Despite the lack of reward in London, there is no lack of resolve within the Maserati MSG Racing camp. Team Principal Cyril Blais admitted:
“That’s the story of our season: what could have been. A puncture for one, front wing damage for the other – it just didn’t come together. But the work ethic, the commitment, and the flashes of performance we saw are what we’ll build on for next season.”
Maserati Corse’s Head, Maria Conti, placed the season in broader context:
“From victory in Tokyo to a podium in Jeddah, this has been a year of highs and lows. But every race has helped shape the Maserati Folgore project and deepen our connection between motorsport and road innovation. As we head toward our centenary in 2026, our heritage continues to drive us forward.”
Final Championship Standings
- Stoffel Vandoorne finishes 14th in the Drivers’ Championship with 62 points
- Jake Hughes concludes his campaign in 16th with 40 points
- Maserati MSG Racing closes Season 11 in 9th place in the Teams’ Championship with 102 points
The Road Ahead
As Maserati prepares to celebrate a century of motorsport heritage in 2026, there is no question that its future in Formula E remains bright. Season 11 may not have delivered the consistent success the team hoped for, but it offered valuable lessons, technological gains, and a reminder that in racing – as in life – resilience is the ultimate performance metric.
The Trident may have left London without silverware, but the fire to return stronger in Season 12 has been well and truly lit.
