As a result of a pre-existing commitment to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship from a handful of drivers, teams have had to call upon Reserve Drivers to make the step up.
Perhaps the biggest change is at Envision Racing. A calendar clash has meant the reigning Teams’ World Champions won’t be able to use Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns for Round 9, with FIA regulations preventing them competing in Round 10 on the Sunday too - with the two races being considered part of the same event.
Both Buemi and Frijns will be on-site in support of the team on Sunday, but for both Rounds Joel Eriksson and Paul Aron will be behind the wheel.
Eriksson, 25, is the current Jaguar TCS Racing Test, Simulator and Reserve Driver, has been kindly released by Jaguar and will race for the team during the Berlin weekend. The Swede, who tested with Envision back in 2018, has already competed in eight Formula E races to date - and is very familiar with both the GEN3 and the Jaguar powertrain.
Aron, 20, is considered one of the most exciting young prospects in single-seater racing and sits second in the current Formula 2 standings for the season. The Estonian driver has already amassed three podium finishes in his first full FIA Formula 2 campaign this year, rapidly marking himself out as one to watch for the future and had a chance to drive the GEN3 car during the Misano Rookie Free Practice last month.
The same unusual situation has happened at Mahindra Racing, with Season 7 World Champion Nyck de Vries being replaced by Jordan King. King has extensive knowledge and experience with Mahindra’s M10Electro, having already completed eight test days – plus countless hours on the team’s simulator back at base – as part of his regular Reserve Driver duties.
Kelvin van der Linde will make his Formula E comeback for ABT CUPRA in Berlin, replacing Nico Mueller for the weekend.an der Linde is the team's Reserve and Simulator driver impressed in three Formula E races at the beginning of Season 9 while Robin Frijns recovered from a hand injury sustained in Mexico City.
Barnard back in for Bird
After sustaining a broken bone in his hand over the Monaco E-Prix weekend, NEOM McLaren’s Sam Bird will be forced to watch from the sidelines in Berlin. Bird, who has entered 119 Formula E races, had an incident during Free Practice 1 around the iconic principality when he locked up and hit the barriers at Sainte Devote.
Bird has now undergone a successful surgery on his left hand, and the team is supporting him and his recovery to ensure he can compete again as quickly as achievable. But, for Barnard, it means he is being called upon again for the Berlin double-header alongside Jake Hughes. The 19-year-old, who became Formula E’s youngest-ever starter last time out in Monaco, managed to finish his debut race in 14th despite starting at the back of the grid.
“We’re very pleased to report positive progress on Sam’s recovery, with a successful operation on his hand supporting his journey back into the car," Team Principal Ian James said in a statement.
TICKETS: Come and join us for the SUN MINIMEAL 2024 Berlin E-Prix
“Taylor did a stellar job in his last-minute call-up in Monaco, as did the team, who provided him with great support and guidance throughout. He will now be able to build on that experience, while Sam works on his recovery – with the team’s full support.
“We’re looking forward to having Sam back in the car soon.”
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2024 SUN MINIMEAL Berlin E-Prix
The 2024 SUN MINIMEAL Berlin E-Prix gets underway on Friday 10 May with Free Practice 1 at 17:00 local time.
Track action for the first day of the double-header starts on Saturday 11 May with Free Practice 2 at 08:00 local. Qualifying follows at 10:40 local time with lights out for Round 9 scheduled at 15:00 local/13:00 UTC.
Following this, Sunday’s action starts with Free Practice 3 at 08:00, followed by Round 10 qualifying and race at 10:20 and 15:00 local time respectively.