The eighth round of the FIA Formula E Championship is set to take place in the capital of Germany, Berlin.
Berlin hosted a race last year at the decommissioned Tempelhof airport, held on the apron in front of the former terminal on a custom-made circuit. With Germany inviting Syrian refugees into the country, many of them have been housed at Tempelhof, thereby forcing the organisers to change the location of the race.
With many locations under consideration, including moving the race to Nuremberg or Munich, a new street track in the centre of Berlin was revealed as the home of this years’ race. Located not far from the famous TV tower and Alexanderplatz, the new circuit features 11 corners around Strausberger Platz with the pitlane on Karl-Marx Allee.
With the withdrawal of Moscow from the calendar, Berlin becomes the penultimate location of the season. It is a critical time in the Driver’s Championship, with Lucas di Grassi leading by 11 points from Sebastien Buemi, and Sam Bird a now distant 44 points away from di Grassi in third.
This weekend also sees Antonio Felix de Costa replaced at Team Aguri by Rene Rast, with the Portuguese driver participating in DTM at the Red Bull Ring instead. Rast has experience in the World Endurance Championship with Audi, as well as the Porsche Supercup series.
Circuit Location: Karl-Marx-Alle near Alexanderplatz
Circuit Length:2.030km
Turns: 11
Although they came into the season as favourites, Renault e.dams have faltered in their championship bids over the last couple of rounds, and will be looking to return to the front of the field. With Lucas di Grassi now starting to pull away at the top of the standings, it will be his lead to defend going into the final three rounds of the season.
