Berlin E-Prix 2026 Preview: Pascal Wehrlein and Maximilian Gunther gear up for home race

Formula E Season 12 returns this weekend with Rounds 7 and 8 at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. The Berlin E-Prix remains one of the most exciting events of the season, as drivers tackle the unpredictable 2.345 km, 15-turn circuit in their GEN3 Evo cars at the championship’s most frequently used venue.

While current championship leader Pascal Wehrlein will be racing on home soil, recent 6 Hours of Imola winner Sebastien Buemi is set to make his 150th Formula E race start. Here are the key talking points ahead of the Berlin double-header.

What makes the Berlin E-Prix special?

The Berlin E-Prix is held at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit, the most visited venue on the Formula E calendar. The airport-turned-circuit is challenging as its abrasive concrete surface causes high tyre degradation and demands complex energy management, making the race both difficult and highly unpredictable. A total of 15 different Formula E drivers have won in Berlin, with António Felix da Costa and Nick Cassidy jointly holding the record with three victories each.

Pascal Wehrlein’s home race

The Berlin E-Prix is a major event for reigning Teams’ and Manufacturers’ Champions Porsche, which is celebrating its 75th motorsport anniversary this year. Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein, who currently leads the Drivers’ Standings, will be racing on home soil.

Sharing his thoughts ahead of the race, Wehrlein said, “Naturally, I’m really looking forward to the home race in Berlin and the support of the many German fans, as well as my family and friends, who will be at the track. On top of that, we’ll be celebrating 75 years of Porsche Motorsport in Berlin - including plenty of historic Porsche race cars in the Fan Village and on track. So, we’re particularly keen to perform well at the Tempelhof circuit.

”https://www.instagram.com/p/DXrZirUjP1p/It is also a home race for German driver Maximilian Gunther. The DS Penske driver has had a difficult start to the season but will be hoping to return to form in front of his home crowd.

Sebastien Buemi to celebrate his 150th Formula E race

Sebastien Buemi will make his 150th race start, having competed in Formula E since the inaugural race in Beijing in 2014. The 14-time E-Prix winner secured a podium in Jeddah this season and recently claimed victory in the Hypercar category of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Imola.The 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix begins on 1 May with a practice session, followed by the Round 7 race at 16:05 local time on Saturday, 2 May, and the Round 8 race on Sunday, 3 May.Also read: Mitch Evans and Antonio Felix da Costa “ready to fight” to recreate Jaguar’s Berlin success