ePrix Berlin 2025: Overview and challenges
After the chaotic Jakarta race, which saw Dan Ticktum triumph for the first time in Formula E, the electric single-seaters return to Berlin and its Tempelhof airport circuit.
As Season 11 enters its final stretch, Berlin is gearing up to host the 13th and 14th races of a championship still dominated by Oliver Rowland. The German event is the last before the finale, which will take place, as it has for the past two seasons, in London on the ExCel exhibition center circuit.
An uninterrupted presence on the schedule since season 1.
The German capital has the distinction of being the city that has hosted the most races in the history of Formula E. Present on the calendar since season 1 in 2015, Berlin has already seen 20 races take place in its metropolitan area over ten seasons.
A figure to be put into perspective nonetheless, as to adapt to the calendar disruptions related to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, six consecutive races were held in Berlin during season 6.
In 2015 and since 2017, the ePrix takes place on the tracks of Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, which has been closed to air traffic since 2008. In 2016, the race took place in the city center of the German capital.
In the rankings, Antonio Felix da Costa holds the record for the most victories with three wins. Additionally, with the exception of Season 1 champion Nelson Piquet Jr. and the two most recent champions Jake Dennis and Pascal Wehrlein, all Formula E champions have won at least once in Berlin; Sébastien Buemi (2016, 2017), Lucas di Grassi (2019, 2021), Antonio Felix da Costa (2020), Jean-Eric Vergne (2020), Stoffel Vandoorne (2020), and Nyck de Vries (2022).
Berlin has also seen several drivers claim their first FE victory, such as Oliver Rowland with Nissan in 2020 and Norman Nato with Venturi in 2021.
A new track since season 10
Since last year, Berlin-Tempelhof Airport has introduced a new track to host Formula E. It is 2.345 kilometers long and features 15 turns ranging from fast curves to braking zones.
After the start/finish straight, the drivers will begin the lap with three left turns before a right-angled right turn that leads into a slightly curved straight. At the end of this straight, two new right-angled right turns will offer overtaking opportunities.
The lap continues up to the hairpin of turn 9 before the third long straight of the circuit, which ends with three left-hand turns, the last of which on camber will allow for maximum energy regeneration.
Turn 15 then brings the cars back towards the starting grid of the second shortest circuit of the season after the one in London, which Formula E will visit at the end of July.
Oliver Rowland has (almost) nothing to fear.
Before the last four races of the season, and even though he has had two difficult races with only one point scored, Oliver Rowland is the overwhelming favorite for the title. With a 69-point lead over Wehrlein, the Nissan driver has all the cards in hand to become the second British champion in Formula E.
Last winner in Berlin, Da Costa could also join the battle between the top two in the championship. With only a five-point deficit behind his teammate, the Portuguese driver will be one to watch, as will Nick Cassidy. Also a winner in Germany a year ago, the Jaguar driver is in form at the end of this season after his victory in Shanghai.
Finally, let’s not forget DS Penske drivers Jean-Eric Vergne and Maximilian Günther. Always in the fight for the podium in the team championship, the French premium brand of the Stellantis group and its American partner could surprise on a track favored by its drivers.
The start of the two races of the Berlin ePrix will be on Saturday, July 12th at 4:00 PM and Sunday, July 13th at 4:00 PM.
