ePrix Berlin: Circuit overview and challenges

After a Paris ePrix held with great fanfare, Formula E arrives this weekend in a more familiar setting. In May 2015, the 100% electric discipline held its first ePrix in the German capital. Won by Jérôme d’Ambrosio on a technicality (after Lucas di Grassi’s disqualification), the drivers competed on a temporary circuit, traced around the former Tempelhof airport, which has been transformed into a vast activity park since 2010.

Enforced change of scenery

But this year, Alejandro Agag and his team had to relocate the race to the heart of the city since the Tempelhof site is being used by the German government to accommodate the massive influx of refugees fleeing the war in the Middle East. Consequently, the 18 drivers of the 2016 lineup will compete on a new 1.927-kilometer circuit, this time traced between two famous squares in Berlin: Alexanderplatz and Strausbergerplatz.

The majestic television tower, the Fernsehturm, will overlook an 11-turn track. Meanwhile, the pitlane will be set up on Karl-Marx-Allee. We are here in the heart of historic Berlin, just a stone’s throw from the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of the city, or Checkpoint Charlie, the crossing point between East and West Berlin during the time when the two parts were separated by the Berlin Wall, which fell in November 1989.

For Daniel Abt, there is no doubt that this race will be significant in more ways than one. For a German driver racing in a German team, competing in the heart of Berlin will be a highlight of his career! Meanwhile, the member of the eponymous team has already had the chance to hit the Berlin pavement during pre-race promotional events. Like Jean-Eric Vergne in Paris, the local of the stage seems to have thoroughly enjoyed driving at the foot of the Brandenburg Gate!

He also did not fail to warmly thank the event’s promoters: « Thank you to Formula E and the city of Berlin for making this race possible. I have already recognized the circuit: it’s an exceptional place that will create a unique atmosphere. Racing in the streets of our capital is for me a dream come true! »

Technically, it will be necessary to monitor the sequence between the second and fourth turns that will lead to a long right-hand curve, approached at high speed by the drivers. The two main straight sections will be located at the start of the circuit, both separated by a first hairpin turn that promises a lot, especially since the pit lane entry will be located there!

And consideration of the final (as walked) hairpin by @nico_prost and @Sebastien_buemi ends #TrackWalk pic.twitter.com/DsBMGjVSkn

— RENAULT e.dams (@RENAULTedams) 20 mai 2016

The loss of time will be dramatic for any driver making a mistake after the first corner, especially during qualifying…

The German drivers will certainly hope to shine in front of their home crowd. The excitement will only be greater: with Daniel Abt and Nick Heidfeld (Mahindra), René Rast joins the German ranks! Arriving as a replacement for Antonio Félix da Costa (competing this weekend in DTM), the Aguri team has enlisted the services of a driver experienced in closed-wheel racing. A triple champion in Porsche Supercup and a winner at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps, René Rast has also already driven for Audi in LMP1, notably participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year. This season, endurance racing fans have been able to follow his performances in LMP2 with the G-Drive team. However, it is worth noting his relative inexperience in single-seaters, as he hasn’t raced such cars since the 2003-2004 Formula BMW season!

But that hardly scares our newcomer: “Although these cars are very specific, I am confident about my speed. My experience will certainly allow me to achieve good results for the team.”

Update on driver and constructor standings: Will Lucas di Grassi continue his momentum?

Riding a strong streak of three consecutive victories on the track, Lucas di Grassi is currently the powerhouse of the discipline (despite his disqualification in Mexico). The Brazilian’s consistency is impressive as he is the only driver this season who has improved his position between the start and finish of each ePrix! These performances have not gone unnoticed by Hans-Jürgen Abt, who has just extended di Grassi’s contract for the 2016-2017 season (as well as that of Daniel Abt, teammate and son of Hans-Jürgen). Everything seems to be going well for Lucas di Grassi at the moment, who also recently won in Endurance with Audi during the 6 Hours of Spa.

In Formula E, his goal this weekend will obviously be to maintain the lead: “Our ultimate goal is the drivers’ championship, but there is still a long way to go,” indicated Lucas di Grassi on the sidelines of this ePrix. “I hope we continue our good streak here. The car is good, our team remains 100% focused despite the pressure.”

Faced with him, his main challenger, Sébastien Buemi hangs on as best he can. Seated in the most competitive car on the grid, the Swiss managed to limit the damage in Paris with a remarkable climb to third position. However, his 115 points in the overall standings currently place him 11 points behind Lucas di Grassi’s 126 points.

As there are now only three races remaining, Buemi knows he is in a poor momentum compared to his rival, as he has not won this year in Formula E: his last victory was indeed in Punta del Este, in December 2015!

The last race in Paris was decent. But in Berlin, our plan will be to start in a better position on the grid. For the record, Buemi started in eighth position. The track seems similar to Paris, with quite a few interesting overtaking opportunities. We have reasons to be confident for the race.

Regarding the manufacturers, Renault e.dams will want to consolidate its advantage over Audi Sport Abt. Currently, 7 points separate the two teams. Behind these front-runners, will DS Virgin still be in the game? Fast in Paris, di Grassi and Buemi will have to watch out for Sam Bird, and even his teammate Jean-Eric Vergne, who is back in the fight for victory around Les Invalides. The Briton already sets the tone: “We are going to become stronger and stronger by the end of this season!”

Let’s not forget the importance that Jérôme d’Ambrosio could play. After a weekend out of the points in Paris, the Dragon Racing team driver is likely to return to the forefront!

A truncated end of the season?

In this, an important piece of information has heavily influenced the final sprint of this Formula E season. Initially scheduled for early June, the Moscow ePrix was simply canceled due to organizational problems. Up against the wall, Alejandro Agag tried to include a replacement race in Monaco, an idea that was ultimately rejected by the Automobile Club of Monaco.

This 2015-2016 Formula E season therefore only has 10 races left. Consequently, this antepenultimate ePrix is even more significant. Sébastien Buemi cannot afford any mistakes if he still wants to believe in his chances of winning the title!

In any case, stay tuned: a full-length summary of this Berlin ePrix will be presented on our site!

In the meantime, you can follow the qualifications live on Canal+ Sport starting at 11:55 am. The race will be broadcast live on Canal+ Décalé from 3:55 pm, followed by a scheduled replay at 5:35 pm on Canal+ Sport.