Lola Yamaha ABT arrives in Tokyo aiming to build on breakthrough Formula E victory

After achieving its first victory in Formula E, Lola Yamaha ABT will be looking to continue the positive momentum in Tokyo this weekend.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is returning to race on the streets of the Japanese capital, though for the first time here both E-Prix will be held at night. The tight 18-turn, 2.575km circuit is built around Tokyo Big Sight and features three notable straights, intricate cornering sequences and high-speed turns.

Lola Yamaha ABT showed good pace in Tokyo last year, with Lucas di Grassi securing a fifth-place finish in the second race of the weekend after making it to the duels in qualifying. This previous performance, combined with the boost from the win in Shanghai, provides an opportunity for further points scoring this weekend. Following repairs to his car after the suspension failure in Shanghai, Zane Maloney has a 20 grid-place penalty for the first race, which will also feature Pit Boost. This will add an additional strategic element which could give him chance to gain places.

Lucas di Grassi, #11: ““Achieving the first ever victory for Lola was a truly special moment in my career and of course a massive boost for the team who have been working so hard over the past two seasons. The first time I raced in China with Formula E I won, and therefore to get my second podium and first victory for Lola at my last race in China was the perfect way to close this chapter. It’s also great to have this result just before heading to Yamaha’s home race in Tokyo. We showed good pace in Japan last year, scoring 10 points in the second race and we hope to repeat, or even better, that performance this weekend.”

Zane Maloney, #22: “Shanghai was very positive for the team but a challenging weekend for my side of the garage. Despite qualifying well and showing good pace, we suffered a suspension failure that ended our race on Sunday. Unfortunately, the resulting repairs from this mean I have a 20 grid-place penalty in the first race on Saturday. This will of course make it more challenging but with the potential inclement weather conditions, the unpredictability of Formula E and the hard work everyone on the team continues to put in, there’s always an opportunity to still secure a positive result.”

Mark Preston, Team Principal, Lola Yamaha ABT, said: “Shanghai was a very important milestone for the team marking not only our first Formula E victory but also meaning Lola has now won in every category of international open-wheel racing. We are hoping to take this momentum and positivity into the Tokyo races this weekend where we aim to score more points in front of Yamaha’s home crowd.”

Round 14 and 15 of Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship take place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May, with qualifying at 15:40 JST and the race at 20:05 JST each day. Find out where to watch the action where you are here.