Formula E Berlin, second race: Finally first points for Abt-Cupra

Berlin Tempelhof is one of the tight and rather "slow" courses, as it is curvy: Of the possible 320 km/h top speed, drivers can only reach up to 230 km/h here before having to brake again. The Tempelhof ring also ensures tactical races with many overtaking maneuvers due to its hard surface and wide curves—this time there were 172 in total, making 362 overall. This also reflects the result: Cassidy started in eighth place but then set the pace and mastered the tightrope act of Formula E between ultimate speed, race technique, and energy.

Abt Cupra started the race from the front row!

However, the pole position was clinched for the first time by Abt Cupra, which uses the Mahindra powertrain: Robin Frijns and Nico Müller secured their first points of the season in the end. A small sensation occurred during qualifying when Frijns and Müller claimed the front row! In the race, Müller achieved the first top-ten result of this year with a ninth place. "We took a big step forward this weekend. The success in qualifying and the clean race into the top ten on Sunday are a nice reward and additional motivation for the whole team after months of hard work," said team boss Thomas Biermaier, adding,

"Of course, the wet conditions in qualifying played into our hands and made this surprising result possible. However, during the race, we realized that under normal conditions we still don't have the necessary pace. Nevertheless, we take some positive aspects from Berlin for the upcoming races."

Different tactics: Some plan from front to back, others from back to front

While weaker teams like Abt or Nio try to start from the front to stay in the points until the end, DS, Jaguar, and Porsche with their customer teams adopt a different strategy: They aim not to start too far back, drafting through the field to save energy. Unlike Saturday, where Envision had to let Jaguar and Maserati pass at the end, Cassidy fended off all attacks at the front this time: Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti), who is only four points behind championship leader Pascal Wehrlein (TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team), stayed within striking distance of Cassidy and was just half a second behind when they crossed the finish line. Wehrlein started sixth, in a better position than in recent races, but descended to seventh by the end of the race. Despite this, Jaguar and Porsche can still take some satisfaction, with their "customers" taking first and second place. The podium was completed by Jean-Éric Vergne in DS Penske. He admitted, however, that he didn't have the pace to challenge the Jaguar-powered Envision, which ultimately took the top spot, although Vergne also led the race at times.

A small mistake by the chasers gives the leading trio free rein

The trio broke away from their pursuers after a driving error by Mitch Evans, who caused his followers to lose valuable time with a brief drift. Evans gained one place from his starting position and finished fourth—a superb weekend for the New Zealander and Jaguar TCS Racing. Although teammate Sam Bird was out due to a slight "touch," the Jaguar drive systems won three consecutive Formula E races for the first time. Similarly, Porsche had to yield the podium and second place to its customer team Avalanche Andretti in Berlin. Jake Dennis commented,

"Seeing the checkered flag as second for the first time since Saudi Arabia is overwhelming. We are still fourth in the championship. Obviously, I had more energy than Nick, but the goals were so high at the end. Fighting for the win was too big a risk, and honestly, I was just happy with the 18 points and to bring the race home like this."

He greatly appreciated what his team achieved behind him and thanked them again:

"The guys did so much today. After all the hard work we’ve put in over the last races, often ending in retirements or setbacks, they deserved the champagne more than I did."

Especially since he did not know if his car would go the entire distance at the front.

"After the contact in turn 4 halfway through, I didn't know if the car would hold up until the end. But I still saw the checkered flag and scored 18 points."

Nick Cassidy was also pleased:

"I knew I was in the battle. I've been in the battle in the last five races. Yesterday we had a big chance too, but I made a mistake, and I really raised my hand for that. But today we did it. So, thanks a lot to my guys. I've had the opportunity to win almost every weekend, and as a driver, that’s a dream."

Slipstreaming shouldn't really be allowed

Jean-Éric Vergne reflected and indirectly addressed the topic of slipstreaming:

“It was really chaotic. I'm very glad the race is over. I've never experienced this kind of race where no one really wants to be in the lead at the beginning and there is a big mess behind.”

He then just tried to stay among the top four or five, because if you are in sixth or seventh place you are too stuck in the midfield and can't really move up to the front:

“It's a bit of a strategy game, and you need mental strength for that.”

Maximilian Günther from Maserati MSG Racing once again showed this mental strength: He improved by 15 positions from 21st to 6th place. The opposite happened to pole-sitter Robin Frijns from Abt Cupra. He soon struggled to keep up the pace and ultimately fell back to 17th place. It went better for teammate Nico Müller, who also started in the front row but finished ninth, earning the first points for the team.

This keeps Wehrlein at the top, though with a narrow lead of four points over Cassidy, while Vergne is in third place. Even the lead of TAG Heuer Porsche in the team standings is shrinking, as the Envision Racing team with Jaguar power is now only 15 points behind in second place. The next round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is the 2023 Monaco E-Prix, which takes place on Saturday, May 6th, in round 9.

What does this mean?

Berlin is one of the exciting circuits with many changes and brought indeed thrilling results. At Abt Cupra, a small breakthrough seems to have finally occurred – but the favorites are running with Jaguar, Porsche, or Stellantis drives.