SHANGHAI, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Maximilian Gunther delivered a flawless drive to convert pole position into victory in Round 10 of the 2024/25 Formula E World Championship in Shanghai, as DS Penske stunned the paddock with a surprise 1-2 finish.

Gunther's teammate Jean-Eric Vergne secured second place after a dramatic final-lap overtaking on both Dan Ticktum and Taylor Barnard, sealing the team's first 1-2 result in Formula E.

Vergne's decisive move came in the dying moments of the race, lunging down the inside at the final corner to snatch second place away from Barnard. The McLaren youngster nonetheless impressed once again with a composed and competitive drive to third.

Ticktum, who had started a lowly 21st after a disappointing qualifying, mounted a stunning comeback through the field and found himself in podium contention late on. But the Briton was left frustrated as Vergne's late overtaking bumped him off the rostrum and into fourth.

Championship leader Oliver Rowland was disappointed to bring his Nissan home only fifth, but nevertheless extended his advantage in the title race. The Briton now leads the standings by 86 points, with Barnard moving up to second overall.

The race began with Gunther on pole and Barnard alongside him on the front row. But it was Pascal Wehrlein who made the early headlines, charging into the lead at Turn 1 with a bold sweep around the outside from third.

The German's time at the front was short-lived, however, as the ever-changing order in the early laps saw positions shuffled constantly - a hallmark of Formula E's close and strategic racing.

Drivers were juggling two Attack Modes and pit boost activations, with energy management and track position proving decisive.

DS Penske's fortunes were nearly undone early on, as Vergne made contact with Edoardo Mortara in the final corner of lap two, which triggered a spin for Nick Cassidy.

Both Mortara and Cassidy were forced to pit for repairs, dropping them to the back. Meanwhile, Mitch Evans - already facing an 80-place grid penalty and a 10-second stop-and-go - moved up to 20th as chaos unfolded.

Nico Muller was the first to trigger the pit boost phase, which opened the door for a flurry of strategy plays. By lap 18, all drivers had deployed their Attack Modes, with Gunther emerging back at the front ahead of Wehrlein, Robin Frijns, Rowland and Lucas di Grassi.

From there, Gunther managed his lead expertly, stretching the gap in the closing stages as those behind squabbled for position. The drama came just behind him, as Barnard and Ticktum battled wheel-to-wheel, only for Vergne to pounce at the last moment and leapfrog them both.

Formula E returns to the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday for Round 11 of the 2024/25 season, with rain expected to fall. ■