SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 8, 2025 – DS Automobiles has its first points of the new ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season on the board, after a dramatic São Paulo E-Prix that mixed comebacks, red flags and a reminder of just how unpredictable all-electric street racing can be. For fans, it was the kind of opener that sets the tone for an intense, globally watched Season 12.
Action-Packed Start Under the Lights of the Sambadrome
Racing through São Paulo’s famous Sambadrome, with its long straights and tight corners, the season opener was non-stop action from lights out to the final lap. A late incident brought out the red flag and a restart behind the safety car, reshuffling strategies just as teams were playing their final energy cards.
In the middle of the chaos, DS PENSKE and DS Automobiles showed their trademark resilience. At the wheel of his DS E-TENSE FE25, German driver Maximilian Günther turned a tough qualifying into a statement Sunday, climbing from 16th on the grid to finish sixth and score eight valuable championship points. On a night when many favorites saw their plans unravel, consistency and calm paid off.
Maximilian Günther Delivers a Classic Fightback
Starting in the midfield on a tight street track is never easy, but Günther made it look measured rather than desperate. Smart overtakes, clean energy management and staying out of trouble allowed him to pick off rivals and edge steadily into the top 10 and beyond.
“It’s important to have scored some precious points right from the start of the season. Thanks to a great fightback through the field, we managed to take sixth place. In qualifying, things didn’t exactly go as we wanted. But we kept calm and finally got through this first race. Even though we suffered at the end of the race without ‘Attack Mode’, we held on and were rewarded with a few points in the bag.”
For fans, it’s exactly the kind of gritty, determined drive you want to see in Round 1: not perfection, but proof that the package has speed, race craft and the ability to survive chaotic finales.
Heartbreak for Barnard, But Promise for What’s Next
On the other side of the garage, Taylor Barnard’s race was a rollercoaster. The Englishman had put himself in a strong position and was the only driver in the top 10 still holding an extra boost through Attack Mode – a powerful weapon for a late-race charge. Then the red flag arrived at precisely the wrong moment.
During the neutralisation, a 12-volt battery issue forced him to park in the pits, ending the chance to convert that advantage into points. He was eventually classified 13th, but his raw pace in DS colours sent a clear message that he belongs in the fight.
”The first weekend of the season didn’t quite end as we hoped. It’s pretty frustrating, as we were in a good position to score points. I think we could have finished sixth if the car hadn’t stopped in the pit lane during the red flag period. Having said that, we need to put our best foot forward now and just concentrate on the next race.”
Editorial Extra: 3 Reasons DS Fans Can Feel Optimistic
- Points straight away: Turning P16 into P6 shows the car and team can move forward on race day, even when qualifying isn’t perfect.
- Strong rookie signals: Barnard’s pace before the issue hints at a powerful one-two punch once reliability is dialled in.
- Clear development path: With key learnings from a chaotic opener, there’s plenty of room – and time – to climb both driver and team standings.
Eyes on Mexico City and the Season Ahead
For DS Performance Director Eugenio Franzetti, São Paulo was a reminder of what makes Formula E addictive to watch – and demanding to master. “It was an action-packed first round with lots of racing incidents and surprises. We scored some valuable points thanks to a very nice comeback from Max, but we could have taken a lot more were it not for the bad luck suffered by Taylor. Formula E is always unpredictable! We’re now going to work on some of the settings and come back even stronger Mexico.”
With Mexico City’s Hermanos Rodriguez circuit up next on January 10, 2026, DS Automobiles and PENSKE AUTOSPORT now carry both data and momentum into the next chapter of Season 12. For a brand that has already collected four championship titles, 18 victories, 55 podiums and 26 pole positions since entering Formula E, this opening weekend feels less like a beginning and more like the start of another serious campaign.
From the streets of São Paulo to the high-altitude drama of Mexico, DS fans can expect more bold strategy calls, late-race energy gambles and that unmistakable blend of French style and electric performance. To explore DS Automobiles’ world of electrified road cars and racing, visit https://dsautomobiles.com/.