In the world of motorsport, some venues are more than just racetracks; they are historical canvases on which new legends are painted. This July, the iconic and sprawling concrete expanse of Berlin’s former Tempelhof Airport will once again become the epicenter of the all-electric racing world. On July 12-13, the 2025 Hankook Berlin E-Prix will host a nail-biting double-header, a weekend so crucial it could single-handedly decide the fate of the Formula E World Championship.
As if that weren’t enough drama, the roar of the Gen3 race cars will be followed by the hum of opportunity, with a dedicated rookie test on Monday offering a glimpse into the future of the sport. For drivers, teams, and fans, this isn’t just another race weekend; it’s a pressure cooker of ambition, strategy, and legacy, all unfolding under the watchful eye of Tempelhof’s monumental terminal building.
As the Formula E circus rolls into the German capital, the championship narrative is dominated by one name: Oliver Rowland. The Nissan driver has been the season’s revelation, transforming from a consistent points-scorer into a formidable title favourite. Through a masterful blend of aggressive racecraft and strategic intelligence, Rowland has built a commanding 69-point lead. His tenth-place finish in Jakarta was a perfect example of his new-found maturity—a calculated drive to bank points while his rivals stumbled.
His position is so strong that the championship trophy is almost within his grasp. The mathematics are tantalizing: depending on the results of Saturday’s race, Rowland could be crowned the new Formula E World Champion with three races still to spare. It would be a remarkable, career-defining achievement for the British driver, a testament to a season of near-flawless execution.
But in motorsport, nothing is certain until the final chequered flag. Playing the role of the determined challenger is Pascal Wehrlein. The Porsche driver faces a monumental task. After a disastrous Jakarta E-Prix where he finished eleventh and scored zero points, the gap to Rowland looks more like a chasm. Yet, there is no greater motivation than racing on home soil. For Wehrlein, the Berlin double-header is a do-or-die scenario. He needs to be flawless, aggressive, and probably a little bit lucky. Anything less than a pair of victories could see his championship dreams evaporate in front of his home crowd.
Stirring the pot is the resurgent Dan Ticktum. Fresh off a spectacular and hard-fought victory in Jakarta, Ticktum has rocketed into fifth place in the standings, just 23 points shy of Wehrlein. While the overall championship might be a long shot, he is perfectly positioned to play the role of spoiler. Full of confidence and with a car that is clearly competitive, Ticktum is a genuine threat for race wins and could be the wildcard that dramatically alters the championship fight at the front.
The 2.345-kilometer Tempelhof circuit is a unique beast. Carved out of the vast, historic runways of the former airport, its character is unlike anything else on the calendar. The wide, sweeping layout, featuring 15 challenging corners, is a driver’s dream, actively encouraging brave, side-by-side racing that has become a hallmark of the Berlin E-Prix.
What makes the track so demanding is its split personality. Long, fast straights invite dramatic slipstreaming battles, where drivers can form “trains” to conserve energy before launching attacks. This high-speed chess match is punctuated by tight, technical sequences, including sharp hairpins and chicanes that test car control and braking precision to the absolute limit. It’s a circuit that rewards both outright speed and tactical nous, often producing races with dozens of lead changes where predicting a winner is a fool’s errand.
The track surface itself adds another layer of complexity. The old concrete runway provides immense grip in dry conditions, but its abrasive nature can be brutal on tires. Furthermore, afternoon heat can cause temperatures to soar, drastically affecting energy consumption and battery performance. Teams will be locked in a frantic search for the perfect setup—one that is fast enough for a single-lap qualifying shootout but stable and efficient enough to survive a grueling race.
In the background of the drivers’ duel, the Teams’ Championship is heating up, and it’s Porsche that holds the advantage. The German powerhouse has been a model of consistency, and they will be supremely confident of extending their lead on home turf. Their engineering excellence and deep understanding of the Gen3 car have been evident all season.
The double-header format presents a fascinating strategic puzzle. How will the championship contenders approach Saturday? A conservative race focused on a solid points haul seems logical for a leader like Rowland. But for those chasing, like Wehrlein, caution is a luxury they cannot afford. This could lead to a cagey opening race, but all bets will be off for Sunday. If the title fight is still mathematically alive, expect fireworks as drivers throw everything they have at the weekend’s final encounter.
At this late stage of the season, the development race is as fierce as the action on track. Teams are constantly refining their software, seeking marginal gains in energy management and power delivery that can make the difference between winning and losing. The data gathered during the practice sessions at Tempelhof will be invaluable, as engineers work to optimize their complex systems for the circuit’s unique demands. From maximizing energy regeneration under braking to deploying Attack Mode at the perfect moment, the technical battle behind the scenes will be every bit as intense as the wheel-to-wheel combat on the tarmac.
Rookie Test
Once the points have been awarded and the champagne has been sprayed, the focus at Tempelhof will shift from the present to the future. Monday’s official rookie test is one of Formula E’s most vital initiatives, providing a priceless opportunity for the next generation of racing stars to get behind the wheel of the cutting-edge Gen3 car.
From 9 AM to 4 PM on July 14, a diverse lineup of talent from across the motorsport spectrum will take to the track. Headlining the list of participants is Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion and current reserve driver for the Aston Martin Formula 1 team. Drugovich’s presence underscores Formula E’s growing stature as a top-tier destination for the world’s best young drivers.
This test is far more than a simple track day. For the teams, it’s a crucial chance to gather development data and evaluate potential future drivers in a real-world environment. For the rookies, it’s a golden ticket—a chance to impress team principals and prove they have what it takes to handle the unique demands of all-electric racing. In a championship as competitive as Formula E, a strong showing here could pave the way for a future race seat.
Racing at Tempelhof is an experience that transcends sport. The imposing art deco terminal, a relic of a complicated past, provides a backdrop that is both awe-inspiring and sobering. A symbol of Nazi ambition in the 1930s, it later became a beacon of hope and freedom during the Berlin Airlift of 1948-49. Racing here connects Formula E’s futuristic vision with pivotal moments of 20th-century history, creating an atmosphere charged with significance.
The unique setting also offers exceptional viewing for spectators. The compact layout and grandstand positioning allow fans to see vast portions of the track, creating an intimate yet epic feel. For the teams, the open airfield presents its own challenges, as unpredictable wind patterns can have a surprisingly large effect on energy consumption, making the weather forecast almost as important as the race strategy.
As the weekend approaches, all the elements are in place for an unforgettable chapter in Formula E’s story. Will Oliver Rowland seal his destiny and lift the championship trophy under the gaze of Tempelhof’s historic eagle sculptures? Or will Pascal Wehrlein mount a heroic comeback on home soil to take the fight to the final round? One thing is for sure: the iconic runways of Berlin are ready to deliver a weekend of pure, electrifying drama.
Image: Steffen Prößdorf
