DUBAI: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Berlin’s iconic Tempelhof Airport street circuit this weekend, May 11-12.

As season 10 reaches the midway point, round 9 and 10 will be the third double-header of the season and are set to intensify the battle for the title. 

With a decade of racing history, all eyes are on the 22 drivers to recreate the excitement of the past 18 races in the German capital, a highlight of which was a remarkable 362 overtakes in last season’s event.

Notable contenders include ABT Cupra’s Lucas di Grassi — eager to take his maiden win of the season in front of his team’s home crowd — and Antonio Felix da Costa, two of only three double winners in Berlin.

Jaguar TCS Racing are aiming to replicate their memorable 1-2 finish from season 9 while Maserati MSG Racing’s Maximilian Gunther has high hopes for his home race.

TAG Heuer Porsche seek to consolidate their lead with Pascal Wehrlein in the Drivers’ Championship standings on what is home territory for both driver and team.

Berlin holds the distinction of being the only city to have hosted a race in every Formula E season — a total of 18 races. With Tempelhofer Feld as the host venue for all but one season, the track presents a familiar yet demanding challenge and, with an updated layout, the opportunities are wide open. 

The second season of the GEN3 era has already yielded fierce competition, with the first eight rounds crowning seven different race winners. No fewer than 11 drivers have celebrated on the podium and, currently, seven different teams are represented in the top 10 of the drivers’ standings.

As the championship gears up for the second half of the year, the current drivers’ standings are as follows: Pascal Wehrlein of TAG Heuer Porsche leads the pack — the only driver with two wins under his belt so far this season; he is closely followed by Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy, who boasts a win and four podiums, leaving him only seven points shy of the lead.

Currently in third is 2023 World Champion Jake Dennis, of Andretti Formula E. He is followed by round 6 winner Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E and Mitch Evans, Cassidy’s teammate at Jaguar TCS Racing, in fourth and fifth respectively.

Maximilian Günther of Maserati MSG Racing and DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne are currently sixth and seventh, with Sam Bird of NEOM McLaren Formula E in eighth. Stoffel Vandoorne, after a season-best performance in Monaco, sits in ninth in the other DS Penske machine, while TAG Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa rounds out the top ten.