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This weekend’s Berlin ePrix is the first double header of the season, which means there are a massive 58 points on offer, making it the most important event of the season so far. With so many points to play for, this weekend could define or destroy many driver’s championship hope and dreams, but here are the main stories to look out for.
Double trouble
Double header races can be both a blessing and a curse. Hit the ground running and get everything right on Saturday and there’s a strong chance that form will continue through to Sunday.
Spend Saturday chasing your tail trying to find the optimum set-up and energy usage only to miss the sweet spot, and those travails could double down and haunt you for both races.
Also, there’s not a massive amount of time between the first race ending and the cars hitting the track for the opening practice session for the second. Getting involved in a high-speed pile-up could prove costly…
Going the distance
The Sunday race – held over 46 laps – will be the longest race in Formula E history and the first to breach the 100km mark. Energy management will be even more crucial than ever and those teams and drivers that are able to not only consume less, but also regenerate more, will be rewarded in the final reckoning.
Gripping stuff
Formula E races on tracks with unusual surfaces for motorsport, but none more so that the runway concrete at Tempelhof. The highly abrasive surface, coupled with the unique long and tightening Turn 1, could place a real strain on the right front tyres on the cars.
Finding a set-up that is kind to the tyres but is also fast through the corners will be key, making track time in the practice sessions on Saturday even more important than usual.
Sarrazin’s seat swap
Stephane Sarrazin has been a mainstay of the series since the opening race, competing exclusively for the Venturi team. However, with an opening arising at TECHEETAH, the versatile French ace has been drafted in as Jean-Eric Vergne’s team-mate.
With its Renault powertrain, the TECHEETAH has proven to be a very competitive car this season, which could thrust Sarrazin right into the thick of the battle for pole and even the race win.
Di Grassi’s points plea
A first DNF of the season has left Lucas di Grassi 43 points behind Sebastien Buemi in the title race. With half of the races still to go, this is far from being irretrievable, but he really needs to score big this weekend, with a double podium finish probably the bare minimum of his requirements if he’s to remain in with a shout of the championship.
On the flip side, a double no-score for Buemi could throw things wide open once again, but di Grassi can’t afford to just hope this happens and needs lead from the front and lay down a marker in qualifying. The pressure is on and it will be fascinating to see how he responds.