New Berlin circuit confirmed for ePrix

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Berlin will remain as the host of the German ePrix, after penning a new deal to race around Strausberger Platz, which will take over from the Tempelhof Airport.

The famous Tempelhof Airport hosted the 2015 edition of the event, a race won by Dragon Racing’s Jerome d’Ambrosio after on-track winner Lucas di Grassi was disqualified as his Audi Sport ABT car was running an illegally-modified front wing.

A second running of the ePrix was thrown into doubt after news broke that the airport is being used to house refugees, and would therefore be unrealistic in hosting an ePrix.

It was believed that the German ePrix could find a new city, with Munich and the Norisring in Nuremberg both touted as potential candidates. However, negotiations with the Norisring fell through, while a possible race in Munich came to nothing.

The retention of the ePrix in Berlin will be fantastic news for the city, which is striving to be seen as a ‘Green Capital’ where clean energy is promoted and e-mobility is a huge talking point.

“It is fantastic news that we have been able to find a new location to race in Berlin and I want to thank everybody who has been involved in making this happen for all their hard work in such a short space of time,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E.

“Germany is an incredibly important market for Formula E as the home of DHL, the championship’s Official Logistics Partner, and BMW i, the Official Vehicle Partner of the series. I am sure that this race will capture the imagination of the German fans and be a great success.”

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, added “The FIA Formula E Championship was created to promote the theme of a new form of sustainable mobility, alongside the development of technologies linked to an electrical powertrain; all this combining to bring a racing event into the heart of the great cities of the world. The new location for the Berlin ePrix fits these requirements perfectly.

“Berlin is one of the most important capital cities in the world, the cultural and political centre of Germany, a country where the motor industry plays a very important role and where there is a particularly keen awareness of mobility for the future. I am sure that Formula E Holdings, with the ever-valuable cooperation of the DMSB, will be able to put on a show for the spectators that is a match for the allure of a city like Berlin.”

The announcement means that both Nick Heidfeld and Daniel Abt will have a home ePrix this season, with the latter adding his praise.

“Formula E hasn’t only come up with a tremendous alternative location in Berlin but created a circuit with a lot of character,” said the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver.

“The configuration looks interesting and, with its long straights and hairpin turns, seems to be promising a thrilling race as well. When we were in Berlin last time we visited a restaurant and a bar near Alexanderplatz – and now we’re going to race in exactly this part of the city. Now that the circuit has been announced, I’m even more excited about my home round.”

The 2016 Berlin ePrix will take place on 21 May, acting as the eighth round of the championship.

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Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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