Everything you need to know ahead of the BMW i Berlin E-Prix presented by CBMM Niobium 09.08.2021: The 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship reaches its climax this weekend with a double-header at the BMW i Berlin E-Prix presented by CBMM Niobium, and the prize on offer is maiden FIA World Championship honours.

The 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship reaches its climax this weekend with a double-header at the BMW i Berlin E-Prix presented by CBMM Niobium, and the prize on offer is maiden FIA World Championship honours.



With two rounds left to run there are 18 drivers still in mathematical contention for the Drivers' World Championship, illustrating just how hard fought, unpredictable, and competitive this season has been, even by Formula E’s standards.




As it stands



Mercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries heads the way with a narrow six-point lead over Robin Frijns (Envision Virgin Racing) after a pair of second-placed finishes in London while the pacesetter heading into his home E-Prix, Sam Bird (Jaguar Racing), sits third, level with fellow Brit Jake Dennis (BMW i Andretti Motorsport) in the points table after a second race win for the rookie last time out at the ExCeL Circuit.



Reigning champion Antonio Felix da Costa (DS TECHEETAH) is primed and ready to pounce in fifth, within 15 points of Dutchman de Vries as he seeks to retain his crown.




TICKETS: Secure your seat at Tempelhof for the Season 7 finale



One win could change everything in the Teams' table, too, with Envision Virgin Racing leading the way from the manufacturer might of Mercedes-EQ and Jaguar Racing by seven and nine points, respectively. Teams' incumbents DS TECHEETAH are waiting in the wings 17 points back from the leaders.



Can de Vries drive home his slender advantage? Will experienced head Sam Bird finally hit the top? What are the odds on rookie Dennis signing off BMW's spell in Formula E in the best possible fashion? Or, is da Costa set to make it a double having scored 91 points - the equivalent of six third place finishes on the bounce - in that six-race Season 6 finale at Tempelhof?



Don't discount the guys that have been there before just yet, either. 2016/17 champion Lucas di Grassi (Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler) will be hungier than ever with the aim of seeing Audi leave Formula E on a high and both he and double champ Jean-Eric Vergne (DS TECHEETAH) - two of the most successful drivers in Formula E history - find themselves outside the top 10 but with favourable qualifying groups.



With 29 points available in each of Rounds 14 and 15, there will be plenty of twists and turns before the destination of top honours is decided on Sunday afternoon.




Flying Dutchmen lead the way



It was not all that long ago that Mercedes-EQ’s Team Principal Ian James admitted his team had ‘failed massively’ in keeping their consistency following their early dominance this season.



SCHEDULE: All the session times for the Berlin E-Prix



However, James and his team will be rejuvenated following a double podium in London courtesy of now World Championship leader de Vries. The 26-year old holds a six-point lead heading into the double-header finale in Berlin over his compatriot Frijns, who last week extended his stay at the team for the 2021/22 season.




Return to Tempelhof


The net zero carbon race series returns to the 2.4km Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit on the outskirts of the German capital city. Tempelhof featured a remarkable six races on three different track layouts across in nine days in what was surely the most intense season finale in motorsport history last year to round out Season 6.



Two different configurations will be used over the weekend with Saturday’s race using the traditional anti-clockwise direction and Sunday switching to clockwise - a first for Formula E over a double-header event.



There will be a welcome return for fans, too, as the E-Prix will be open to the public for the first time since the start of the global pandemic, with more than 10,000 General Admission grandstand seats available thanks to a rigorous safety and hygiene protocol established between Formula E organisers and the Berlin authorities.

- Formula E also photo