Brussels ePrix fades, Berlin doubles up

The misfortune of some brings happiness to others. The saying is also true in motorsport, specifically in Formula E. The discipline led by Alejandro Agag has confirmed news that had been in the air for some time.

After the unfavorable vote by the Brussels City Council in January, the Brussels ePrix, which was scheduled to take place on July 1st, is officially canceled.

At the same time, the replacement solution has already been adopted. The Berlin ePrix doubles up with the organization of a second race on the weekend of June 11th. The format will be the same on Saturday and Sunday: two condensed days, with free practice in the morning and the race in the late afternoon, with Qualifying around lunchtime.

As with New York and Montreal, German fans will have the chance to see the race cars perform both on Saturday and Sunday.

The two races in Berlin will take place on a redesigned circuit, but in the heart of a familiar site. After a 2016 round held not far from the Brandenburg Gate, along Karl-Marx-Allee, the German round of the Formula E Championship will return to the tarmac of the former Berlin-Tempelhof Airport.

De facto, the 100% electric discipline retains its 12 races. The choice of a second race in Berlin is the easiest option logistically. However, the date will not be ideal for many people. By staying an extra day in the east of Germany, numerous drivers will compromise their preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will take place the following weekend. At this time, six drivers from the lineup are also registered for the famous Sarthe event: the two Renault e.Dams competitors as well as Sam Bird, José Maria Lopez, Nelson Piquet Jr, and Stéphane Sarrazin.

„For us as a German team with German partners and me as a German driver it is great that we will have two home races“, says @Daniel_Abt pic.twitter.com/cwxZg2NKe8

— ABT Formula E Team (@abt_formula_e) 9 mars 2017