Berlin E-Prix: Why Citroën Racing is ready to dominate Tempelhof airport

Citroën Racing: renewed ambition for the crucial Berlin showdown

The Formula E season continues its European tour with growing intensity. Following high-stakes battles on the streets of the Old Continent, the world electric championship makes a strategic stop in the German capital before heading to the prestigious Monaco stage. This weekend, on the historic tarmac of the former Tempelhof Airport, Citroën Racing intends to make its colors shine. The French team approaches this event with increased determination, driven by a car whose raw speed potential is well-proven, and a fierce desire to turn performance into concrete results.

A rebound expected following the lessons of Madrid

The last round in Madrid left a bitter taste for the Citroën Racing squad. Despite a show of force during the qualifying sessions, where Nick Cassidy secured a masterful pole position proving the car's intrinsic speed, the race turned into a genuine disappointment. With a 14th and 17th place finish, the points total did not reflect the level of competitiveness displayed throughout the Spanish weekend.

Far from being discouraged by this setback, the brand's engineers and technicians redoubled their efforts during the break to analyze data and optimize energy management within the pack. The upcoming Berlin E-Prix, which will once again feature a double-header, is the perfect opportunity to set things right. Preparation has been intense in the simulator, with a particular focus on race consistency to ensure that excellent starting positions systematically translate into heavy championship points.

Tempelhof: A technological playground favored by Citroën drivers

The Berlin-Tempelhof circuit is unique in the world. Stretching 2.374 kilometers, it is distinguished by its extremely abrasive concrete slabs, a legacy of its airport past. This specific surface places immense strain on the tires and requires perfect thermal management. Historically, this terrain has often favored both the team's drivers. Nick Cassidy returns to familiar winning ground: he is the most recent winner on this track and boasts an impressive statistic of three victories at Tempelhof (2023, 2024, 2025), representing a win for every season of the GEN3 era.

The Berlin weekend will be split into two rounds with distinct profiles. Round 7, held on Saturday, May 2nd, will introduce the Pit Boost. This technical innovation, combined with a unique six-minute Attack Mode activation, will place strategy at the heart of the competition. Pit Boost allows for rapid mid-race charging, radically altering the hierarchy and breaking the "peloton" style racing often seen in Formula E. On Sunday, May 3rd, Round 8 will return to a more conventional format without Pit Boost, but with eight minutes of Attack Mode to be used freely. This balance between cutting-edge technology and classic management promises a complete challenge for the team.

Voices from the Paddock: A synergy focused on winning

Within the Citroën garage, optimism remains the primary driver. Team leaders and drivers agree that the performance is there, just waiting to be realized.

Cyril Blais, Team Principal, highlights the importance of this weekend: "Berlin is always a key moment in the season, even more so with a double-header. The combination of Pit Boost on Saturday with Attack Mode strategies adds complexity and opens the door to different approaches. We have shown strong performance potential since the start of the season, notably with Nick's podium in São Paulo and our victory in Mexico. We also experienced more difficult weekends, which allowed us to work on areas for improvement during the break. The goal now is to be consistent and maximize every opportunity."

For his part, Nick Cassidy is delighted to return to a circuit he particularly enjoys: "I am very happy to be back in Berlin with the team. The break was quite long, so I am looking forward to racing again. Berlin is a circuit that has treated me well during the GEN3 era, and I hope that continues this weekend. It’s always a unique challenge with the surface and how the group races unfold. With Pit Boost on Saturday, strategy will be even more decisive."

Jean-Éric Vergne intends to rely on his unmatched experience at Tempelhof. Holding the record for pole positions (4) and podiums (8) in Berlin, the two-time world champion knows how to tame the concrete slabs: "Tempelhof is one of the most technical circuits on the calendar, and it truly rewards efficiency and precision. The difference in format between the two races this weekend will keep everyone under pressure. The team has worked hard, and we are in good conditions heading into Berlin."

Conclusion: Motivation at its peak for the German conquest

Citroën Racing arrives in Germany more motivated than ever. The Spanish disappointment is now in the past, having served as a catalyst to refine the car's settings. The brand can legitimately rely on the satisfaction drawn from its pure performance: the pole position in Madrid proved the car is one of the fastest on the grid. By counting on the "lucky star" of Berlin, a track that has so often smiled upon Jean-Éric Vergne and Nick Cassidy in the past, Citroën has all the ingredients to secure a major result. At mid-season, the points collected this weekend will be crucial for the remainder of the championship.