Formula E confirms six concluding races in Berlin
The rumour that Formula E, which was interrupted due to the coronavirus crisis, will hold several races in Berlin, has been confirmed: As the electric racing series now officially announces, the former airport Berlin-Tempelhof is the venue for the conclusion of the current season.
Concretely planned are three’ doubleheader races’, i.e. one race each on two consecutive days. Scheduled are August 5/6, August 8/9 and August 12/13 – a total of six runs. Between these doubleheaders, the race track on the airport is to be rebuilt so that three different variants are driven twice. Formula E hopes that this will provide “different strategy options for the teams and drivers”. These are “the best conditions for unpredictable and exciting Formula E races”.
However, the races will take place without an audience at the track – this was one of the decisive points for Berlin, as the area on the former airport can be well cordoned off, and access monitored, unlike the usual city circuits. According to the German government’s specifications, there will be a maximum of 1,000 people on-site at any one time, including local suppliers and medical support teams. On-site, face masks and social distancing measures should be obligatory.
“Since taking action to suspend our season in March, we have emphasised a revised calendar which places the health and safety of our community first, represents Formula E’s distinct brand of city centre racing and offers an exciting conclusion to the compelling season of racing we had seen so far,” says Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle. “The festival will feature three track layouts, presenting a new challenge and creating the conditions for an unpredictable and drama-filled climax to our season”.
This means that Berlin will also be part of Formula E in the current season; only in the German capital have races been held in all previous seasons. This year it will be a unique role as had been suggested before.
Currently, Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa leads the season, which was interrupted in March, but the DS-Techeetah driver is only eleven points ahead of Jaguar driver Mitch Evans. The four currently best-placed drivers in the championship are separated by less than a single race win in terms of points. The resumption of the series in Berlin will, therefore, be most decisive.
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