After claiming his maiden Formula E win in Jakarta, Cupra Kiro driver Dan Ticktum enters the 2025 Berlin E-Prix weekend with renewed optimism as the team continues to build on a solid run of performances. With a package that appears well-suited to the demands of the unique Tempelhof circuit, the British racer believes that another significant points haul is within reach. Speaking to media, including Pit Debrief, ahead of the race weekend, Ticktum outlined his expectations for the weekend, shed light on the internal relationships driving Cupra’s progression, and shared his excitement for the incoming Gen4 era of Formula E.
Tempelhof Circuit suits Cupra Kiro’s strengths
Ticktum believes the characteristics of the Berlin Tempelhof circuit — notably its tight, technical corners and absence of high-speed sequences — are likely to favour Cupra Kiro’s package. Reflecting on how different circuits bring out different performance traits in the car, he drew a direct comparison to previous rounds.
“I think this is a street track, lots of tight corners. The places where we struggle, we have the high-speed combined corners. A good example is Shanghai. This is not like Shanghai, so I think we will be quite strong here. If we can get another 20 points, I think it is very possible here. Here and London, I think we will be strong.”
Despite this optimism, Ticktum acknowledged that the Tempelhof surface presents an unusual challenge. The circuit, located on the site of a former airport, is paved with abrasive concrete tiles rather than traditional asphalt, often leading to distinct tyre degradation patterns and requiring rapid adaptation during the limited practice window Formula E allows.
“The only slight difference is the surface of the track. Tempelhof is very, very different to anywhere else. We have a slightly different tyre compound to what we had last year. So, it is all about adapting quickly. We do not get very much track time. We get an hour or so before qualifying. And the last few races, the team have done a fantastic job of getting the car in the window consistently and in all conditions. So, I am confident in this one.”
Ticktum’s confidence stems not only from the track layout but also from the consistent progress Cupra Kiro has made throughout the season. With recent results indicating growing competitiveness, the team appears ready to capitalise on every opportunity Berlin presents.
The value of stability and technical trust
Beyond raw pace and strategy, Ticktum emphasised the importance of long-term relationships within the team. Having been with the outfit since 2021, the 26-year-old has formed strong working ties with core members of the engineering and operations staff. He believes this continuity has played a vital role in Cupra Kiro’s recent improvements, allowing for a more refined and collaborative development process over time.
“There is a lot to running a Formula E team and me and Mike [Henderson], I joined the team in 2021. Mike was also here, and Russell [O’Hagan], we are one of the last few remaining who stayed here. And honestly, I am incredibly proud without getting too soppy.”
His remarks reflect not only a sense of loyalty, but also an appreciation for the resilience the group has shown through seasons of limited success. Ticktum suggested that the team’s transformation has been accelerated by their alliance with Porsche and the Cupra brand, both of which have contributed significantly to the technical package.
“It has been a very, very tough three years beforehand. And the partnership along with Porsche and Cupra has allowed us to make something pretty special.”
He also credited the engineering staff—particularly Henderson and the wider technical team—for turning that partnership into tangible performance gains. For Ticktum, being in a position to compete at the front is a product of years of commitment and hard work.
“And I have to say the rate of improvement, which is a lot down to Mike and the team, is pretty special. And to give me a car finally in this championship where we can go and fight for wins and podiums is very cool. You know, I am very, very proud of the team.”
Strong Communication with Engineer is Key to Performance
Expanding on what it takes to extract the maximum performance in Formula E, Ticktum underlined the value of a productive relationship between driver and race engineer. In a category where data-driven decisions dominate and radio communication during sessions is limited, mutual understanding can be the difference between a good result and a lost opportunity.
“The secret of, you have got to have someone that understands you as a person. Like a lot of engineers are very engineer-y, let us say. I am quite a character, as some of you may know, some of you might not, but I am not the easiest to work with.”
Ticktum, known for his outspoken and energetic personality, admitted that building effective working relationships has not always been straightforward. However, he praised his current engineer, Nico, for striking the right balance between structure and empathy. According to Ticktum, this dynamic has had a direct influence on his performance.
“So my engineer, Nico, he understands me as a person and it is about getting the best out of the driver which, you know, I have been pretty good at adapting to different engineers. But Nico is really on the same wavelength as me and he just understands that I need to be happy.”
He added that his engineer’s ability to work around his quirks—particularly when it comes to punctuality and personal habits—helps create a positive and productive environment, one where performance can flourish despite the occasional rough edge.
“So, you know, my timekeeping in some areas may not be perfect or, you know, a bit rough around the edges but he understands that and he brings out the best in me [unintelligible].”
Looking ahead to the Gen4 era
Looking beyond the Berlin weekend, Ticktum offered his perspective on the future of Formula E, particularly the forthcoming introduction of the Gen4 car in 2026. The new-generation machine is expected to deliver a significant leap in performance, with more than 800 horsepower and a substantial increase in top speed. For Ticktum, who thrives on performance-focused driving, the transition to Gen4 cannot come soon enough.
“I am definitely looking forward to the jump in power. Now we have, I mean, we are talking horsepower, it is 450 to about just over 800 in Gen4, so it is going to be quite a big thing. I am really enjoying myself a lot when I first get in that. I am going to be very happy.”
Ticktum revealed that he has spoken to individuals involved in developing the Gen4 package and has already seen data from comparative testing. On identical circuits, the performance difference between Gen3 and Gen4 appears substantial. He cited straight-line speed as one of the most noticeable improvements, estimating the current Gen3 car reaches approximately 265 kilometres per hour (165 miles per hour), while the Gen4 car is expected to top out at 320 kilometres per hour.
“So, I know someone who is developing the cars and on the like-for-like track, on the same track, our cars at the moment, the Gen3s are doing about 160, 165 at the end of the straight, miles an hour that is.”
He added, “And the new car is going to be doing 320 in the same straight so it is a lot faster.”
More exciting racing expected in Gen4 era
While acknowledging that the Gen3 era fell short of his expectations, Ticktum remains optimistic that the Gen4 platform will elevate the quality of racing and restore momentum to the championship.
“So yeah, I am looking forward to it. I think the championship is in a bit of a, I would say delicate stage is not necessarily the right term, but I think the Gen3 car was not as good as I had hoped. And I think the Gen4 car is where it could potentially become a lot more exciting. So yeah, I am looking forward to that.”
Eyes on Berlin as Season 11 nears its end
As the 2025 Berlin E-Prix approaches, Dan Ticktum is entering the double-header with confidence in both his team and the trajectory of the series. With a strong understanding of the circuit, deep-rooted collaboration within Cupra Kiro, and clear goals for continued progress, the British driver is aiming to turn optimism into results.
