Pole position: check. Fastest lap: check. Podium: check. The only thing missing from Felix Rosenqvist’s CV in his rookie FIA Formula E Championship campaign is an elusive victory. In this weekend’s Berlin ePrix, the Swede will get not just one, but two opportunities to add the most eagerly awaited feat to his list of achievements.
Round seven of the 2016-17 Formula E championship sees the field descend on a temporary track at Berlin’s disused Tempelhof airport, located in the south-eastern parts of the German capital.
For the first time of the season, two races are set to be run this weekend as Formula E stages the first of three double-header events to round out the campaign, meaning double the points up for grabs – and twice the chance for Rosenqvist to score that first win.
“We’ve had some good results in recent races, and breaking into the top five in Formula E is always difficult,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “It’s a highly competitive championship and it takes a lot to run at the front, which we shouldn’t forget. That said, I know that we’ve got huge potential in the car and I’ve therefore set myself the goal of winning at least one race before the end of the season. Berlin would be a great occasion.”
Rosenqvist finished fourth on the streets of Paris last time out, adding to a solid sixth in the preceding Monaco ePrix. The Swede’s team, Mahindra Racing, are yet to win a Formula E race but are currently on an all-time high having scored their best-ever combined result in Paris with Rosenqvist’s P4 effort backed up by team-mate Nick Heidfeld (GER) in third.
“We have great momentum at the moment and there are some interesting things coming from the team on the technical side, which is improving all the time,” Rosenqvist concludes. “I’m convinced that we’ve got the package to win races, but it’s not going to be easy and it will require us to perform to our maximum capacity on the day.
“If we can string qualifying, the race, and the strategy together at the same time, then we’ll be there. It’s obviously easier said than done, of course, but it’s in our own hands. I know that we can do it and we’ll get two opportunities this weekend. I will do everything I can to make the most of them.”
Following a short shakedown session on Friday afternoon, the Berlin ePrix double-header kicks off for real on Saturday with the first of the weekend’s two races. The second encounter takes place on Sunday.
Both race days feature identical time tables, with separate qualifying sessions to form the respective grids. The Saturday outcome thus has no bearing on Sunday’s action, as the event effectively resets overnight.
Felix Rosenqvist currently holds sixth in the FIA Formula E Championship standings, tied on points with fifth-placed Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA).
TIME TABLE
FIA Formula E Championship
Berlin ePrix, Germany
All times local (GMT+02:00)
Friday 9 June
Shakedown: 15.00-15.30
Saturday 10 June
Free Practice 1: 08.00-08.45
Free Practice 2: 10.30-11.00
Qualifying 1: 12.00-13.00
Race 1: 16.00 (44 laps)
Sunday 11 June
Free Practice 3: 08.00-08.45
Free Practice 4: 10.30-11.00
Qualifying 2: 12.00-13.00
Race 2: 16.00 (46 laps)
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (top five)
FIA Formula E Championship
After 6/12 races
1: Sébastien Buemi (SUI), 132 p.
2: Lucas di Grassi (BRA), 89 p.
3: Nicolas Prost (FRA), 58 p.
4: Nick Heidfeld (GER), 47 p.
5: Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA), 40 p.
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6: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), 40 p.