2026 Berlin E-Prix preview: season 12 title fight intensifies

The 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix weekend is fast approaching, bringing the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship back to the iconic Tempelhof Airport for two action-packed race days on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 May. As the grid prepares for Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2025/26 season, the German capital promises its usual blend of tactical complexity and high-stakes drama.

A fiercely competitive campaign

In Miami, despite the rain at the city’s International Autodrome, Jaguar’s Mitch Evans secured his 15th career victory, placing himself at the top of the all-time wins list in Formula E history. Jeddah provided further drama: Pascal Wehrlein’s Round 4 win launched him to the top of the drivers’ standings with Porsche, while his former teammate da Costa secured his first win for Jaguar the following day—marking his fifth win with a fifth different manufacturer.

Da Costa continued his momentum by winning the inaugural Madrid E-Prix, looking right at home with his new Jaguar team. As the paddock arrives in Berlin, home hero Wehrlein leads the points table with 83 points, built on a foundation of podiums and consistency. He is closely pursued by Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara on 72 points, who is still chasing down a victory this year after coming close on several occasions.

The tactical challenge of Tempelhof

The all-electric championship returns to its most visited venue: the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. With over 20 races held in the German capital, Berlin remains the only city to have appeared on every Formula E season’s calendar. Apart from a brief stint at Alexanderplatz in Season 2, the former airport has been a consistent and demanding fixture.

The abrasive concrete slabs that once hosted huge airliners result in high tyre degradation, while complex energy management demands make Berlin one of the most tactical events on the schedule. Historically, the circuit has crowned 15 different winners, with da Costa and Cassidy currently tied at the top with three wins each. Tempelhof has also been a breeding ground for first-time victors, including Felix Rosenqvist, Norman Nato, and Stoffel Vandoorne.

GEN4: the next era of electric racing

Last week at Circuit Paul Ricard, the next generation of Formula E was officially welcomed into the world. The GEN4 car, which will be further developed and raced from the 2026/27 season, represents a massive leap in performance. Capable of reaching speeds in excess of 335kph and hitting 0-100kph in approximately 1.8 seconds, it will deliver 50% more power in race mode than the current GEN3 Evo machinery.

The GEN4 car will be an average of 10 seconds faster per lap than the GEN3 car in qualifying mode and stands as the only single-seater race car with permanent all-wheel drive. In ATTACK MODE, GEN4 produces up to 600kW of power—a 71% increase in base output over GEN3 Evo—pushing the absolute limits of electric racing.

Sustainability remains a central pillar of this innovation. GEN4 will be the world’s first racing car that is 100% recyclable, featuring at least 20% recycled materials across key components. New Bridgestone tyres are made from 65% natural and recycled materials, and the battery contains no rare earth minerals. Formula E continues to lead by example, remaining the first global sport certified to the BSI Net Zero Pathway Standard and the first motorsport series to achieve B Corp Certification.

Home heroes and new challengers

Germany is a crucial event for the reigning Teams’ and Manufacturers’ Champions, Porsche, who are celebrating their 75th motorsport anniversary this year. Standings leader Wehrlein, the German Season 9 World Champion, has never won in Berlin but came close last year with a second-place finish.

Meanwhile, Maximilian Guenther will be looking to replicate his Season 6 Berlin victory for DS PENSKE. The seven-time E-Prix winner has endured a tough start to the season, with a best result of sixth in São Paulo, but will be hoping to leverage the support of the home crowd.

Adding to the German narrative, Opel has been busy making major announcements since confirming their entry into Formula E over the Madrid weekend. The team recently announced test and development driver Sophia Flörsch, who became the first driver to take the brand new Opel GSE 27FE on its maiden outing at Paul Ricard during the GEN4 Unleashed event. The final livery will be revealed in October at the Paris Motor Show.

"We have a clear strategy with Opel GSE: Race. Drive. Play. And 2026 is clearly dominated by racing," announced Rebecca Reinermann, Vice President Marketing. "We are showing how exciting and at the same time relevant electric performance is for and at Opel."

Sebastien Buemi’s 150th race milestone

As Formula E recently celebrated its 150th E-Prix in Mexico City, several long-standing drivers are marking their own milestones. Lucas di Grassi (Lola Yamaha ABT) holds 153 race starts, followed by Jean-Eric Vergne (Citroën) on 152, and da Costa on 150.

This weekend, Sebastien Buemi becomes the next driver to reach the 150-race milestone. Having raced in the series since the inaugural Beijing E-Prix in 2014, Buemi is one of Formula E's most successful competitors, winning the drivers’ title in Season 2. The 14-time E-Prix winner, who also balances an incredible endurance career with Toyota and assists Red Bull Racing in Formula 1, picked up a podium in Jeddah earlier this season and arrives fresh from a HyperCar victory in the World Endurance Championship at Imola.

2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix schedule

With titles won and lost on the Tempelhof concrete, the Berlin E-Prix double-header is set to deliver another crucial chapter in the 2025/26 championship battle.

Friday 1 May

• Free Practice 1: 16:00 local / 15:00 BST

Saturday 2 May

• Free Practice 2: 09:30 local / 08:30 BST
• Qualifying: 11:40 local / 10:40 BST
• Race: 16:05 local / 15:05 BST

Sunday 3 May

• Free Practice 3: 09:30 local / 08:30 BST
• Qualifying: 11:40 local / 10:40 BST
• Race: 16:05 local / 15:05 BST