The ABB FIA Formula E Championship returns to the German capital this weekend (25 May) for the series’ fifth visit in as many years, making it the only city to have featured on the calendar in every Formula E season. The Berlin E-Prix, held at Tempelhof Airport, will be round ten of the current campaign.
Tempelhof is a listed historical monument, which was used as an airport until 2008 and has now been converted into a recreational site. The Gen2 cars will take over the tarmac formally used by planes and race around the 2.375 km long circuit specifically designed for this event.
Last time out
The previous race in Berlin ended with a one-two finish for the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team, with Daniel Abt securing the top step of the podium and Lucas di Grassi in second. Abt won pole position and maintained his start line advantage until he crossed the finish line; in addition, he recorded the fastest lap of the race, which meant he left his home race with the full complement of 29 points from a single E-Prix.
Current standings
Jean-Eric Vergne winning the previous round in Monaco meant that the streak of a different winner in every round of the 2018/2019 championship ended on the French Riviera. In addition to Monaco, Vergne was also victorious in Sanya. He now leads the drivers’ championship standings with 87 points to this name. Despite not having won a race yet, his DS TECHEETAH teammate Andre Lotterer is only one point behind him, closely followed by Robin Frijns of Envision Virgin Racing with 81 points.
The good results in Monaco also meant that DS TECHEETAH managed to extend their lead in the team championship standings with a new total of 173 points. Despite not scoring any points in the Principality, Envision Virgin Racing and Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler managed to hold on to second and third positions respectively in the standings.
With four races to go until the end of the season, it is getting tense at the top of the table. However mathematically it is still possible for every driver and for each team to become the 2018/2019 ABB FIA Formula E champion.
FIA Girls on Track – Dare to be Different is back!
Following its debut at the Mexico E-Prix in February, the successful collaboration between the FIA’s Girls on Track project and the Dare to be Different programme continues with a second event during the German round of the championship. The initiative encourages girls aged between 8 and 18 years old to come and experience the huge variety of career options that the motor sport industry offers.
For more information, click here: https://www.fia.com/news/education-motor-sport-and-fun-waiting-girls-berlin
A Tribute – FIA Volunteers Weekend
The Berlin E-Prix coincides with the 2019 edition of the FIA Volunteers Weekend (25-26 May). This initiative by motor sport’s governing body aims to highlight the work of motor sport volunteers around the world, ensuring that the important message of thanks is conveyed to the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to make motor sport possible. Throughout the weekend, the entire motor sport community – from volunteers and officials to fans, drivers and members of the media – is encouraged to join in and show their appreciation on social media. Using the hashtag #FIAVolunteersWeekend on social media, people can share photos and stories, connecting and celebrating motor sport volunteers at all levels from all around the world – from club events to world championships.
Further information can be found via the following link: https://www.fia.com/news/fia-volunteers-weekend-spotlight-those-who-make-motor-sport-possible
Championship Standings
Driver Standings:
Jean-Eric Vergne
DS TECHEETAH
87
Andre Lotterer
DS TECHEETAH
86
Robin Frijns
Envision Virgin Racing
81
Antonio Felix da Costa
BMW i Andretti Motorsport
70
Lucas di Grassi
Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler
70
Mitch Evans
Panasonic Jaguar Racing
69
Jerome D’Ambrosio
MAHINDRA RACING
65
Oliver Rowland
Nissan e.dams
59
Daniel Abt
Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler
59
Sam Bird
Envision Virgin Racing
54
Edoardo Mortara
VENTURI Formula E Team
52
Pascal Wehrlein
MAHINDRA RACING
51
Sebastien Buemi
Nissan e.dams
40
Felipe Massa
VENTURI Formula E Team
32
Stoffel Vandoorne
HWA RACELAB
20
Alexander Sims
BMW i Andretti Motorsport
18
Maximilian Gunther
GEOX DRAGON
10
Gary Paffett
HWA RACELAB
8
Oliver Turvey
NIO Formula E Team
6
Alex Lynn
Panasonic Jaguar Racing
4
Jose Maria Lopez
GEOX DRAGON
3
Nelson Piquet Jr.
Panasonic Jaguar Racing
1
Tom Dillmann
NIO Formula E Team
0
Felipe Nasr
GEOX DRAGON
0
Felix Rosenqvist
MAHINDRA RACING
0
Team Standings:
DS TECHEETAH
173
Envision Virgin Racing
135
Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler
129
MAHINDRA RACING
116
Nissan e.dams
99
BMW i Andretti Motorsport
88
VENTURI Formula E Team
84
Panasonic Jaguar Racing
74
HWA RACELAB
28
GEOX DRAGON
13
NIO Formula E Team
6