During the Sao Paolo E-Prix event over the weekend, an electronic vote was conducted among all 11 Formula E team principals. The purpose was to address an FIA regulation that posed a challenge regarding the participation of certain drivers in the Berlin E-Prix.
The issue arose due to the scheduling conflict between the first of two Berlin Formula E races, slated for May 11-12, and the WEC’s Six Hours of Spa. With seven drivers engaged in dual campaigns this season, there was potential for those competing in Belgium on Saturday to make it to Germany for the electric championship on Sunday.
However, an FIA regulation stipulates that despite comprising two races, the Berlin E-Prix double-header is treated as a single event. Consequently, teams cannot interchange drivers between the races without unanimous agreement from all 11 teams, barring circumstances of force majeure.
A statement from the FIA preceding the vote outlined the regulatory framework, emphasizing the necessity of unanimous consent from competitors for any exceptions.
While at least one team rejected the proposal, seven of the 11 teams did not have drivers committed to the WEC. As a result, the decision was reached that drivers participating in Spa would not be allowed to compete in Berlin the following day.
Among the affected drivers are Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns from Envision Racing, Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne from DS Penske, Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara from Mahindra, and Nico Muller from Abt.
Vergne and Vandoorne confirmed their prioritization of Formula E over WEC in case of a clash, with Mortara also expected to commit to the Berlin double-header.
Although not officially confirmed, it is believed that Toyota WEC drivers Buemi and de Vries, along with BMW’s Frijns and Peugeot’s Muller, will prioritize the WEC commitments, thus missing both races in Germany.
None of the affected teams have announced their reserve drivers for participation in the Berlin E-Prix double-header as of yet.
