As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Berlin for its historic annual appearance, Cupra Kiro driver David Beckmann prepares for what promises to be a milestone moment in his career. The German driver, who joined the team alongside Dan Ticktum, is looking to make a strong impression at his home race, both in terms of personal performance and overall team achievement.
Held at the Berlin Tempelhof Airport circuit, the double-header is set to be a critical juncture in the 2025 season, not only because of the unique track surface and technical demands, but also due to its historic relevance. It remains the only city to have hosted a Formula E event every year since the series began more than a decade ago.
Expectations for the weekend: momentum, rain, and racecraft
Beckmann entered the Berlin weekend with realistic optimism, driven by Cupra Kiro’s encouraging trajectory throughout the season. The team adopted the Porsche powertrain for 2025, a transition that required extensive adaptation but ultimately helped improve performance as the year progressed.
“Home race. So very exciting. Yeah, I think we had a really good run through the season, especially for Dan [Ticktum]. Compared to where we started at the beginning of the season, we had a new powertrain with Porsche, a few new engineers, a lot of work to get done. But we found nice room and improved the car a lot. We’re a really good team, working well together, very efficient. And yeah, good results for Dan. Our Qualifying pace is really good,” said Beckmann.
Although pleased with his own Qualifying performance and the team’s progress, Beckmann acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in his race execution. He pointed to the importance of converting qualifying pace into strong race results, particularly in a field as competitive and energy-sensitive as Formula E.
“For myself, I have to improve a bit in the races to get the extra 20 points. But yeah, I think Berlin will be very special, because I think it will probably also rain on Saturday at least. So today it was also a bit wet and damp. And so that’s going to be interesting. And normally Berlin is a track where a lot of action is happening.”
An exciting race expected
The prospect of wet conditions adds another layer of unpredictability to what is already one of the most complex tracks on the calendar. Known for its slippery concrete surface and multiple overtaking zones, Berlin often produces thrilling, incident-filled races.
“Like maybe [some of you] were last year here, so it was a very exciting race and many contacts, overtakings. So I guess it will be very similar, especially the race on Sunday, which will be a bit slower, so a lot more overtaking opportunities,” Beckmann added.
Compounding the weekend’s complexity, the series will utilise its new Pit Boost system during the Saturday race. This innovation, which enables teams to recharge their batteries mid-race, results in a faster overall race tempo but reduces traditional overtaking chances.
“And the race on Saturday is with Pit Boost so it will be in general a faster race, where overtaking will be more difficult. But I think if we keep the momentum up, we will do good and deliver good results.”
A track full of memories: Berlin’s personal significance
Berlin is not merely another circuit on the calendar for Beckmann. It holds personal meaning due to its connection with the early stages of his Formula E journey. He made his debut in the all-electric championship at this very venue during the Season 9 Rookie Test, an experience that has since guided the trajectory of his professional development.
“For myself, basically, I also did my first ever Formula E experience here in Berlin in Season 9 at the Rookie Test. So it’s happening now again on Monday [and] it’s a really nice opportunity for drivers to show their potential and for me, it worked out quite well. So that’s for sure a very special venue for me to be here again.”
Beyond its symbolic value, the Berlin round is also a chance for Beckmann to reconnect with fans, friends, and family. Although he is based outside the city, the German venue serves as a rare opportunity for him to feel the presence of a supportive home crowd.
“And yeah, driving on the track where I drove the first time a Formula E car. And on the other hand, you have a lot of German fans here around and my family is coming. So it’s a lot of supporters, which is very nice. Probably will be for Dan similar in London, full house probably. But yeah, just to be in Germany, although I’m not living in Berlin many times a year, so it’s just nice to be with the fellow people and fans.”
This sense of belonging and community, although intangible, can offer emotional momentum, especially in a series as strategically and mentally demanding as Formula E. The ability to perform under the gaze of familiar faces is not lost on Beckmann.
Motivation from the home crowd
When asked whether the atmosphere of a home race translates into on-track performance, Beckmann offered a measured but insightful perspective. While acknowledging the emotional lift that comes from racing in front of local fans, he remained grounded in his professional mindset.
“Yeah, hopefully a few tenths. I think, to be honest, as a racing driver, it doesn’t matter basically where you drive, when you sit in the car. But all the hours before, if you have a nice community around you and supporters, it’s definitely positive. So that’s for sure good.”
Indeed, Formula E drivers often emphasise the mental discipline required to stay focused amid the championship’s unique variables—be it energy management, Attack Mode strategy, or tight street circuit margins. Nevertheless, Beckmann’s comments highlight how external morale can subtly enhance overall performance through increased motivation and positive energy.
Looking ahead: The promise of Gen4 and technological advancements
Beyond this weekend’s race, Beckmann is already thinking ahead. The recent teasers surrounding Formula E’s next-generation car, Gen4, have stirred considerable excitement throughout the paddock. Beckmann is particularly enthusiastic about the anticipated performance gains and innovations that will continue to push the boundaries of electric racing.
“Yeah, I think the new car is going to be a lot quicker and that’s, I think for us, the most important thing. So more speed is equal to more fun. So yeah, a lot more power, probably more better tyres or more grippy tyres. Maybe hopefully also proper rain tyres to have also great wet races, which would be also cool.”
The development of effective rain tyres, in particular, would represent a significant improvement. Formula E races in the wet have previously been compromised by a lack of grip and visibility. Greater traction could unlock more dynamic wet-weather racing, a prospect Beckmann clearly finds appealing.
“But yeah, I think in the end, anyway, Formula E technology is booming. It’s every year there’s some new technology advance. And this year we also got the Pit Boost and I think it’s a great example for e-mobility, yeah, to show around the world how fast you actually can charge a car up.”
Beckmann believes strongly in the championship’s role as a technology demonstrator. As a young driver competing in a future-facing discipline, he takes pride in how Formula E showcases the real-world potential of electric vehicles.
“I think it’s just a great, great racing series to show the potential of electric cars. And if they get faster for us drivers and for the team, I think in the end also for the fans, for the racing fans, it just gets better and better.”
A weekend of significance
For David Beckmann, the 2025 Berlin E-Prix represents more than just another two rounds of Formula E racing. It is a full-circle moment that combines professional growth, personal heritage, and the excitement of home support. While his focus remains on execution—particularly improving race results—there is a palpable sense of optimism.
Cupra Kiro’s upward trend, the strategic challenges of a split-race format with Pit Boost, and the possibility of rain all combine to make this Berlin weekend an unpredictable but thrilling chapter in the season. For Beckmann, it is both a test of skill and a celebration of how far he has come in the world of electric racing.
With a strong Qualifying foundation, a promising car package, and home crowd energy behind him, the German driver is determined to convert potential into tangible points.
