SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 8, 2025 – Citroën’s big leap into all-electric single-seater racing has paid off faster than many fans dared to hope. In a dramatic São Paulo season opener, the new Citroën Racing Formula E Team turned its very first race into a statement result, with New Zealander Nick Cassidy charging from P15 on the grid to a hard-fought P3 – and straight onto the podium.
From P15 to P3: A Charge Worth Remembering
The opening round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in São Paulo was always going to be a test of nerves for Citroën. New team, new structure, first race in single-seaters – and a bumpy, high-intensity street circuit to contend with. Instead of easing into the season, Cassidy delivered a performance that showed exactly why he’s considered one of the championship’s fiercest racers.
Across 31 laps, he combined pace, race craft and smart energy management to perfection, executing decisive overtakes and staying cool in the chaos of a typically eventful Formula E race. By the flag, he’d climbed 12 places to secure P3 and write Citroën Racing’s name into the podium history books at the very first attempt.
Team Principal Cyril Blais captured the mood in the garage: “To begin a brand-new chapter for Citroën Racing with a podium finish is an amazing achievement for the team. Nick delivered a phenomenal drive, and although we are disappointed for JEV because he did a great job all weekend, it was a technical issue and we are confident we will come back stronger. It was a positive result and it’s great to start the season like this with such positive momentum. This weekend demonstrates that Citroën belongs on the world stage of all-electric racing.”
Heartbreak for Vergne, Encouragement for the Season Ahead
While one side of the Citroën garage was celebrating, the other had every reason to feel what might have been. French star Jean-Eric Vergne delivered an excellent qualifying performance to start P8 and showed strong speed in practice and the early phases of the race. But a technical issue after a late red flag meant he couldn’t restart, forcing a frustrating retirement just three laps from the finish.
The team has already begun a full investigation into the cause, but Vergne’s pace is a clear positive for the season ahead. As he put it: “Tough race for me with the technical issue at the end meaning I couldn’t restart after the red flag. I think it could have been a P7 for us and it’s a shame not to have those points. It wasn’t easy going on my side of the garage, but we managed a strong qualifying. We just need to investigate our difficulties during the race. On a positive note, Nick has brought the first podium for the team so that’s great – especially at the first race of the season. So, it was a good day for the team on that front, and I really hope we can carry on like this, -preferably with me having a better race next time out in Mexico!”
What This Podium Means for Fans and the Future
For Citroën, this result is about more than a trophy. It’s a signal that the brand’s move into Formula E – after decades of success in rallying and touring cars – is backed by genuine performance. The program connects directly to Citroën’s road-car electrification push, blending innovation, sustainability and high-performance engineering on a global stage that runs from South America to Europe, Asia and beyond.
Cassidy knows exactly how special this start is: “I’m blown away for everyone at Citroën Racing, to have a podium on our first race together is something very special. We’ve been so focused on this car and we have worked so hard during the offseason to arrive here ready and I thought after free practice that we were going to have a really strong day. I was really disappointed with qualifying because of the fact that we have a really great car here over one lap and I didn’t get to show that potential during qualifying but it worked out in the race and all that hard work paid off!”
With Round 2 heading to Mexico City on January 10, 2026, fans can expect the Citroën Racing Formula E Team to build on this momentum – and for the rivalry between its two star drivers to become one of the most exciting storylines of the season.
3 Reasons This Podium Is Big News for Everyday Fans
- Proof electric racing is thrilling: From P15 to P3, São Paulo showed that battery-powered racing can deliver the same drama and tension as any petrol-powered series.
- Closer link to road cars: Formula E is a live test bed for electric tech, from efficiency to energy management – the kind of innovations that can filter down to the EV you might one day drive.
- A fresh chapter for a familiar brand: If you’ve grown up seeing Citroën in rally or road cars, this podium is your invitation to follow the brand into its new electric era.
With a historic debut now in the books, Citroën Racing heads into the rest of the season with confidence, a podium trophy – and a fast-growing global fanbase ready to see what comes next. Learn more about Citroën’s world and its electric future at https://www.citroen.com.