2016 Berlin ePrix Preview

At the Paris ePrix two weeks ago, Lucas di Grassi took victory at the event and extended his gap in the Formula E championship lead with Jean-Eric Vergne taking place and Sebastien Buemi securing the final podium position.

This weekend's race in Berlin will be the first time that a city has held an FIA Formula E Championship in two different locations. As a result of the race moving from Tempelhof to Karl-Marx-Allee, new records will be set in terms of performance.

A second running of the ePrix was thrown into doubt earlier this year after news broke that the airport is being used to house refugees, and would therefore be unrealistic in hosting an ePrix.

It was believed that the German ePrix could find a new city, with Munich and the Norisring in Nuremberg both touted as potential candidates. However, contract negotiations with the Norisring did not go to plan, while a possible race in Munich came to nothing.

But the retention of the ePrix in Berlin is just fantastic news for the city, which is striving to be seen as a 'Green Capital' where clean energy is promoted and e-mobility is a huge talking point.

In a statement to the media recently, Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E said the following about the new location of the Berlin ePrix as follows:-

It is fantastic news that we have been able to find a new location to race in Berlin and I want to thank everybody who has been involved in making this happen for all their hard work in such a short space of time.

Germany is an incredibly important market for Formula E as the home of DHL, the championship's Official Logistics Partner, and BMW i, the Official Vehicle Partner of the series. I am sure that this race will capture the imagination of the German fans and be a great success.

In a statement also to the media recently, Jean Todt, President of the FIA, added the following about the new ePrix track in Berlin as follows:-

The FIA Formula E Championship was created to promote the theme of a new form of sustainable mobility, alongside the development of technologies linked to an electrical powertrain; all this combining to bring a racing event into the heart of the great cities of the world. The new location for the Berlin ePrix fits these requirements perfectly.

Berlin is one of the most important capital cities in the world, the cultural and political centre of Germany, a country where the motor industry plays a very important role and where there is a particularly keen awareness of mobility for the future. I am sure that Formula E Holdings, with the ever-valuable cooperation of the DMSB, will be able to put on a show for the spectators that is a match for the allure of a city like Berlin.

The ePrix in Berlin means will also mean a lot to Nick Heidfeld and Daniel Abt as both drivers have a home Grand Prix with Abt stating recently about his praise for the new track as follows:-

Formula E hasn't only come up with a tremendous alternative location in Berlin but created a circuit with a lot of character.

The configuration looks interesting and, with its long straights and hairpin turns, seems to be promising a thrilling race as well. When we were in Berlin last time we visited a restaurant and a bar near Alexanderplatz – and now we're going to race in exactly this part of the city. Now that the circuit has been announced, I'm even more excited about my home round.

Let us not forget that the first Berlin ePrix (at the famous Tempelhof Airport hosted the 2015 edition of the event), was significant because of the disqualification to on-track winner Lucas di Grassi.

The points the Abt Schaeffler driver lost for technical infringements effectively ruled him out of title contention. But once again he is leading the way in points and with only three races remaining, a no-score in Berlin could be crucial in determining the destiny of the championship.

To watch the coverage of the Berlin ePrix this weekend, ITV 4 will be covering the event on Saturday 21st May at 2pm, with highlights being shown on ITV on Sunday 22nd April at 9.25am.

The Berlin ePrix will also be streamed live online in the UK via YouTube, Dailymotion and through the official Formula E App and website –
http://www.fiaformuale.com
Keep checking Driving for Pleasure for our coverage of the 2016 Berlin ePrix with our reports of each session.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa