Formula E: Citroën Racing shines in Berlin with Nick Cassidy podium

A successful Berlin weekend for Citroën Racing

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship visited the German capital this weekend for two crucial rounds of the season at the famous Tempelhof circuit. This track, located on Berlin's former airport, holds significant importance for Citroën drivers, who have frequently enjoyed success here in the past. The 2026 edition was no exception, confirming that Berlin's technical and abrasive layout remains a favorable ground for the French brand’s single-seater. Amid intense heat, precise energy management, and on-track duels, the team demonstrated consistent speed in both qualifying and the races, scoring vital points for the international standings.

Race 7: Strategic mastery and Nick Cassidy’s podium

Saturday’s event, representing the seventh round of the season, saw Citroën Racing return to the spotlight with a top-tier performance. From the qualifying sessions, Nick Cassidy signaled his intent by securing fifth on the starting grid, a perfect position for a comeback strategy. The 39-lap race was a true physical test for the New Zealand driver, who had to manage persistent lower back pain. Despite this challenge, Cassidy showed remarkable racing intelligence on a surface known for being extremely tough on tires.

The turning point of the race came during the power activation phases. The team perfectly timed the Pit Boost on lap 21, followed by an Attack Mode activation on lap 29. This strategy allowed Cassidy to maintain optimal energy reserves for the closing laps, enabling him to cross the finish line in second place. This podium validates both the driver’s talent and the aerodynamic and energy efficiency of the Citroën car. On the other side of the garage, Jean-Éric Vergne faced a more difficult start to the weekend. Starting from 16th after qualifying struggles with tire temperatures, the French driver executed a methodical recovery to finish in 14th position, gathering essential data for the upcoming sessions.

Race 8: Promising qualifying and a sunday of duels

On Sunday, for the eighth round of the championship, the team showed significant progress during qualifying. Both drivers reached the final Duels phase, proving that the technical adjustments made overnight were effective. Nick Cassidy secured an excellent third place on the grid, while Jean-Éric Vergne started from fifth. Having both cars in the top 5 suggested a strong double result for Citroën. However, the 37-lap race presented a different dynamic from the previous day, characterized by frequent contact within the pack.

Nick Cassidy’s race was unfortunately cut short after contact on lap 8 with a competitor, resulting in structural damage that forced the New Zealander to retire just a few laps before the end. Meanwhile, Jean-Éric Vergne had to fight hard in an extremely tight pack where defending his position consumed a large portion of the available energy. Despite these challenging conditions, the Frenchman managed to finish in eighth place, scoring four additional championship points. Although less spectacular than Saturday’s podium, this Sunday result highlights the consistency of the Citroën Racing team, which now sits fourth in the Teams' World Championship standings.

Official statements from the weekend's key figures

Following these two intense days, key team members shared their thoughts on the overall performance in Berlin. Cyril Blais, Team Principal of Citroën Racing Formula E Team, emphasized the satisfaction of returning to the podium while acknowledging areas for improvement: "This weekend is overall positive with 22 points scored. Nick’s comeback on Saturday reflects perfect operational execution, though we regret that Sunday's qualifying performance didn't fully translate into race results. We have shown the car is capable of leading, and we will analyze the data to optimize our future strategies."

Nick Cassidy expressed pride in his return to form despite Sunday’s retirement: "I am very happy with the podium on Saturday; it is one of my best performances in Formula E given the physical challenge. I take responsibility for past races, and this result shows we are returning to our best level. It is frustrating to end Sunday with a retirement due to contact, but the speed is there, and that is what matters most for the rest of the season." Jean-Éric Vergne focused on the car's potential: "The positive takeaway is the progress made in qualifying on Sunday with a P5. The car was performing well, but race circumstances and certain strategic choices didn't allow us to fully capitalize. We leave with points and renewed confidence in our race pace heading into Monaco."

Conclusion: confirmed potential ahead of Monaco

In conclusion, the Berlin circuit has once again confirmed its status as a favorite venue for Citroën drivers. With a superb second-place finish for Nick Cassidy on Saturday and both cars appearing in the final qualifying phases on Sunday, the total of 22 points is a satisfying outcome. While the second race felt somewhat incomplete due to track incidents, the raw potential shown by the team is a great sign. The next stop on the calendar will take the field to the legendary Monaco circuit on May 16, an event where the agility and precision of the Citroën car could lead to great success.