Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is just around the corner, as Brazil gets ready to host the season-opener on 6 December 2025. The Anhembi Sambadrome Circuit is a race track that most of our grid are very familiar with, as we prepare for our fourth outing there as a championship.
The event debuted in 2023, and was won by Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans from the second-row of the grid. The following season it was the turn of Sam Bird to be victorious, sealing the deal thanks to a bold and brave overtake on the final lap to secure NEOM McLaren’s first Formula E victory. Evans was back on top for Season 11, completing an outstanding last-to-first drive to win again for Jaguar.
REWIND: 10 of the best moments from the São Paulo E-Prix
Over the all three races in São Paulo, the Julius Baer Pole Position holder has never won. That’s because strategy and slipstream are key, with three long straights, a series of complex and sweeping corners as well as tight turns making up the rest of the layout.
In Season 11, there were five race leaders and 111 overtakes with Mitch Evans coming out on top as he climbed up through the pack and eventually passed his teammate, Nick Cassidy, for the lead before a red flag brought the race to a stop with six laps to go.
Once things resumed, Evans held first place, followed by Antonio Felix da Costa in second and Taylor Barnard in third.
Speaking about the style of racing we see in São Paulo last year, DS PENSKE Deputy Team Principal Phil Charles explained how finding the slipstream and saving energy are crucial if you’re to find success at the Sambadrome.
TRACK MAP: What does the São Paulo E-Prix circuit look like?
"With the peloton, we’ve all started to understand how to go about this style of racing," Charles previously said. "As a group, the pack will probably slow the race down to start with so that the energy target goes up – that makes it more difficult to overtake. Drivers are saying ‘I’m at the front, and don’t really want to lead, but if I am out front, I’m slowing you down’. That way, they’re more likely to be able to hold on to their position and score big points.
"With things evolving, people are more likely to play that game, and what that means is that a large chunk of the race will have a higher energy target – and will be closer to flat out. That may have consequences on the tyres, and powertrain with the battery and temperatures – particularly with the high ambient temperatures here in São Paulo.
"With all of those things, we’re going to have to really watch and be careful of. For the fans watching, it’ll be a really exciting race but for us trying to make the best of it on-track, it will be a really challenging one."
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 São Paulo E-Prix - Round 01
The São Paulo E-Prix Round 1 gets underway on Friday 5 December with Free Practice 1, ahead of race day on Saturday 6 December. Make sure you don't miss a moment, as we get ready to kickstart Season 12 with one of the best races of the year.
WATCH: How to watch or stream ABB Formula E's São Paulo E-Prix weekend where you are
Find out more
UNMISSABLE: Watch the brand-new season of 'Driver' on Amazon Prime
CALENDAR: Here's every race set for the 2025/26 Formula E season
FOLLOW: Download the Formula E App on iOS or Android
TICKETS: Secure your grandstand seats and buy Formula E race tickets
HIGHLIGHTS: Catch up with every race from Formula E IN FULL
HOSPITALITY: Experience Formula E and world-class motorsport as a VIP