Miami E-Prix: Preview, Ways to watch, and more
- Vyas Ponnuri
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Written by Vyas Ponnuri
Formula E returns after a two-month break, and perhaps no better location than the Sunshine State of Florida to kick off Formula E’s next leg of races in 2025!
Formula E’s storied history in the USA only takes another fresh chapter in 2025, with a more familiar location in American circles playing host to the weekend’s proceedings this time around.
Much has been spoken about the infamous American dream in the past and how it lures in many from across the world. Formula E’s quest to fulfill their American dream has taken them on a journey from Coast to Coast, giving them the full experience of stateside diversity.
From the bustling Brooklyn suburbs to the vibrant surroundings of Oregon and the waterfront of Long Beach, you can argue that Formula E has seen the best of what America has to offer. This journey comes almost full circle, with the series coming back to the city it first visited ten years ago, for its first race in the country: Miami.
While Biscayne Bay was the preferred location for Formula E back then, the rapid transformation witnessed in the series has resulted in a widespread shift towards permanent road courses. This is reflected by Formula E heading for one of Miami’s more well-known venues in motorsport circles.
The Homestead-Miami Speedway becomes Formula E’s fifth different location in the United States and perhaps the most high-profile venue the series has been to, so far, in the 18 races held in the country.
Launched in 2003 as a speedway with an infield section, Homestead currently hosts NASCAR’s Straight Talk Wireless 400, along with a dose of XFinity and Trucks to round out their weekend.
Homestead also used to host IndyCar’s Grand Prix of Miami for a decade and a half, apart from other regional events. Having opened for racing in 1995, it's a historic venue with plenty of experience hosting races. Formula E becomes the latest to grace this racetrack, and one look at the layout highlights an interesting race on the cards come Saturday night.
Three teams will be chasing Formula E’s version of the American dream: Win on home soil. Andretti, DS Penske and Cupra Kiro all view this weekend as their home race in varying capacities, setting an intriguing narrative ahead of Formula E’s latest stateside outing.
Drivers’ standings ahead of the weekend:
Oliver Rowland (Nissan Formula E Team): 68 points
Taylor Barnard (NEOM McLaren Formula E Team): 51 points
Antonio Felix da Costa (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team): 39 points
Maximilian Günther (DS Penske): 37 points
Jake Hughes (Maserati MSG): 27 points
Constructors’ standings ahead of the weekend:
Nissan Formula E Team: 68 points
NEOM McLaren Formula E Team: 67 points
TAG Heuer Porsche: 64 points
DS Penske: 63 points
Maserati MSG Racing: 41 points
The track layout for the weekend
The Homestead-Miami raceway is, at heart, a speedway, hosting NASCAR along its banked oval layout. However, an infield section of the racetrack will be used for this weekend’s Miami E Prix.
Starting on the same start/finish straight as its NASCAR counterpart, the Formula E layout then takes a quick left into the infield section. Two slower left handers await the drivers, each one slowing the pace of the lap even further.
Turn 4 is crucial for the race, with attack mode located on the outside of the corner, giving drivers a slingshot into the turn 5 kink and on the straight down to turn 6. This right-hander will be a hotspot in the race, with drivers looking to utilise the extra power in attack mode to make overtakes on those ahead.
The right hander of turn 7 provides drivers an opportunity for drivers to line up their rivals onto the ensuing straight, with an opportunity to pass awaiting them into the hairpin of turn 8. This sequence of corners will certainly be one to watch during the race, with drivers looking to battle and pass each other at will.
The kink of turn 9 takes the drivers back onto the speedway, before the drivers take the turn 10/11 chicane back into the infield, avoiding the banked run to the line.
Two left-handers of turns 12 and 13 pose a tricky challenge for the drivers before the final chicane of turns 14/15, recently instated for the event, take the drivers back onto the start/finish straight, across the line for a lap of the Homestead-Miami raceway.
The high-speed layout only emphasises how important energy management will be around the 3.551 km (2.206 mi) long circuit, with drivers potentially lifting off early on the straights and coasting into the circuit’s slower corners.
Turns 6 and 8 will be the prime spots for drivers to overtake around the circuits, while the turn 10/11 chicane opens up an opportunity for any driver looking to be brave on the brakes into the chicane.
Timings for the weekend
Friday, 11th April 2025
Free Practice 1: 16:30 track time (20:30 UTC)
Saturday, 12th April 2025Free Practice 2: 07:30 track time (11:30 UTC)
Qualifying: 09:40 track time (14:40 UTC)
Race (26 laps): 14:05 track time (18:05 UTC)
Drivers to watch out for:
Oliver Rowland: Perhaps the man of the moment, Rowland and Nissan have been the form duo in 2025 so far. The only driver to take two victories in 2025, it’s this utter consistency and podiums aiding in the Briton’s charge to the championship lead. Maintaining the momentum will be key on Rowland’s agenda heading into Miami, and he will be eyeing the race win to grow his championship lead heading into Europe.
Taylor Barnard: It’s only fair for Barnard to be among those to watch out for, given his stellar rise into Formula E’s record books in 2025. Youngest podium sitter, pole sitter, and youngest to lead a lap are some of the records the 20-year-old has broken so far in 2025. It only remains to be seen how many more records Barnard will rip to shreds as he continues his stellar rise up the echelons of Formula E.
Nick Cassidy: In complete contrast to Barnard, Cassidy’s season has been a major surprise. The New Zealander failed to score points in each of the first three races before finishing the Jeddah weekend with a solid fifth. However, this is well below Cassidy and defending champions Jaguar’s lofty expectations. A solid outing in Miami would do a world of good in helping Cassidy begin his championship charge.
Norman Nato/Sam Bird: While Rowland and Barnard have been at the forefront, their teammates Norman Nato and Sam Bird haven’t experienced the same levels of success. Nato is yet to get off the mark, while Bird has only accumulated 16 points until now. Miami could be the perfect spot for the duo to rejuvenate their respective seasons.
Major storylines heading into the weekend
Can Jaguar turn around their season? - Cassidy admitted to being unsure of Jaguar’s full potential in 2025, ahead of the Mexico City E Prix. The defending champions find themselves in a tough spot after four rounds, sitting seventh in the standings with 35 points to their name. It will require a big Miami weekend for the British outfit if they are to defend their title later this year.
Can Porsche bounce back after the Jeddah horror show? - One team looking to bounce back after a tough Jeddah weekend is Porsche. Having started the year with two poles and a series of podiums, Porsche squandered the lead across both championships, accumulating only six points across the Jeddah double header. An excellent Miami weekend is what the German manufacturer would be thirsting for in a rapidly moving championship.
Will Stellantis continue to build on their Jeddah successes? - Max Günther’s Jeddah victory and Jake Hughes’ third in round 4 boosted DS Penske and Maserati’s respective positions up the order. After a low-key start to the season, it remains to be seen how the duo of brands feed off this success when Formula E returns this weekend in Miami.
How will Homestead fare as a Formula E host? - With a unique layout expected to aid overtaking on race day, the Homestead-Miami raceway could finally emerge as a long-term venue for Formula E in the Americas. How the venue fares as a host in 2025 remains to be seen.
How to watch the Miami E-Prix?
You can catch the Miami E-Prix live on Saturday, with the broadcast details here.
Despite a single race this weekend, it is one you do not want to miss!
Comments