CUPRA KIRO eyes best result of Season 11 in Tokyo
CUPRA KIRO eyes its biggest result of the season following the Monaco E-Prix as Formula E heads to Tokyo, Japan
As a city synonymous with innovation, precision and raw, passionate energy, Tokyo is the perfect stage for Formula E, and this weekend, will host one of the most critical events of the 2024/25 season to date.
With the double-header marking the mid-way point of the campaign, anticipation – and ambitions – are high, and with the return of Pit Boost and two strategic races across Saturday and Sunday, the Tokyo E-Prix will be pivotal in CUPRA KIRO’s quest for more points.
CUPRA KIRO has touched down in the Japanese capital, and with renewed confidence after an encouraging yet unfulfilled weekend in Monaco, the American squad is ready to set the record straight with hopes of making a very decisive statement in performance.
Discover The Circuit
The Tokyo E-Prix was first held in 2024, and as one of the standout races of the year, will become the third double-header event of Season 11, hosting rounds eight and nine this weekend.
Tight and twisty, Tokyo is a highly technical circuit, and while naturally challenging, has a lower energy sensitivity rate than recent tracks on the schedule, with countless braking zones and coasting locations providing opportunities to save energy.
With Pit Boost returning in Race 1, however, and with differing race distances from Saturday to Sunday, the Tokyo E-Prix will see two unique offerings, bringing yet another strategic aspect to an already dynamic weekend.
While Qualifying and track position will be critical, Attack Mode will continue to provide plenty of overtaking opportunities, setting the stage for a thrilling mid-way point in the 2024/25 campaign.
Last Time Out
At Formula E’s most recent race in Monaco, CUPRA KIRO experienced its most promising weekend of the season so far.
With Dan leading the way in FP1 and FP2 and advancing to the Qualifying duels on both Saturday and Sunday, the team’s pace was more than clear at the legendary circuit.
Unfortunately, poor fortunes compromised Dan and team-mate, David Beckmann, across both races, with a mixture of hard racing, on-track incidents, and poorly timed caution periods minimising CUPRA KIRO’s potential points haul.
Thanks to a spirited drive from Dan in Race 1, CUPRA KIRO left Monaco with a total of six points but with potential in hand, hopes are high for Tokyo.
Hear From CUPRA KIRO
Alex Hui, Team Principal, CUPRA KIRO
“The Tokyo E-Prix is the weekend where things need to change. In Monaco, we showed quite convincingly that we have the pace needed to compete at the front, but potential alone doesn’t score podiums. Now, it’s about taking that final step – converting our raw performance into real results. The nature of Tokyo, with two different race distances from Saturday to Sunday, means that we need to be highly strategic, adaptable, and ultimately, flawless in our approach. Leaving Monaco, there was a strong feeling that we didn’t get the reward that we deserved. If we can minimise mistakes and maximise the opportunities ahead of us, there’s no reason Tokyo can’t be our biggest weekend of the season so far.”
Dan Ticktum, Driver, CUPRA KIRO
“It’s been a good couple of weeks for me because Monaco and Tokyo are two of my favourite events of the season, and we have them back-to-back. I’m really looking forward to racing in Tokyo. Formula E have done a good job with the track, and they’ve made a couple of changes for this year which should make it even better. Tokyo is a proper street circuit, and coming out of Monaco, I think we should have good pace. We know what we’re doing on street tracks, I’m feeling confident heading into the weekend, and I’m looking forward to having a busy month of racing without big gaps in the schedule. It’s nice to get a rhythm going.”
David Beckmann, Driver, CUPRA KIRO
“Alongside Monaco and my home race in Berlin, the Tokyo E-Prix is one of the races that I’m most looking forward to this season. Japan has a very different culture to what we’re used to in Europe, and Tokyo is a nice city with very kind people who are passionate about motorsport. The circuit in Tokyo is also unique and is one of the most challenging tracks on the Season 11 calendar with some difficult braking zones and high-speed technical sections. In Monaco we made some good progress, and Dan showed the potential of the car, especially in Qualifying. Having good one lap pace will be important for this weekend, and having more luck – and not getting taken out by other competitors – would be great. I think I’m very close to my first points of the season, and I’m excited to hit the track.”
Russell O’Hagan, Chief Operating Officer, CUPRA KIRO
“The Tokyo E-Prix marks a key transition point this year, and once Race 1 ends on Saturday, we will be exactly halfway through the season. This means that the clock is ticking, and we’re now reaching a point where we need to deliver on the performance and promise that we have shown. When we set out on this season in December, we wanted to lay our operational building blocks, and after a lot of hard work, we’re now able to fight – Monaco showed that. A tremendous amount of effort has gone into putting ourselves into this position and, we’re as determined as ever. The whole team is in Attack Mode in this frantic period of the calendar, we’re hungry for success, and although it’ll be hard work, we’re looking forward to embracing it. In Tokyo, we really want to deliver on our full potential and show what we’re capable of. The energy in the team is great to be around.”
Follow The Action
On-track action for the 2025 Tokyo E-Prix will take place from Friday, 16 May to Sunday, 18 May where two races will be held in the Japanese capital.
To find out where to watch the Tokyo E-Prix in your home country, click here.