Sébastien Buemi records breaking in Berlin

Envisions Racing emerged from a weekend races in Berlin with solid points haul and front-running pace.

In qualifying for the Berlin E-Prix, Envision Racing’s Sébastien Buemi made history and beat them all, scoring a record breaking 16th career pole position, more than any other driver and the laps led in the history of the series.

In the first qualifying semi-final, Buemi took on reigning champion Stoffel Vandoorne. After a tight head-to-head, the Envision Racing driver triumphed, proving to be quicker than the DS Penske driver, ensuring a front row start and his second final appearance this season.

The final saw an all-Jaguar-powered draw as Buemi took on Sam Bird. The Swiss driver immediately established his authority in the early part of his lap, surging to a second pole position of the season.

In race 1, the Swiss driver ran at the front until the final laps, being forced to settle for fourth, after losing out on a podium by Günther on the line to end up fourth.

Day 2, in a repeat of qualifying for the opening race of the weekend, both drivers were paired together for the quarter-final duel. With the rain increasing, this time Cassidy beat his team-mate in another close battle to make it into the semi-finals. The New Zealander’s winning lap time was cancelled due to an overuse of power, handing a consecutive semi-final appearance to Buemi, who would face-off against the ABT of Robin Frijns. And it was Frijns who prevailed, meaning that Buemi started Sunday’s race in third, with Cassidy starting eighth.

In race 2, the rain which impacted qualifying for part two of the Berlin E-Prix had been replaced by a dry track, sunny skies and a light wind. When the lights went out to start round eight of the 2022–23 Formula E World Championship, Buemi held onto third position behind the two ABT cars as the field funnelled around the opening corners.

At the halfway point, Envision Racing were running line astern with Buemi in fifth, amid the chaotic position changes and jockeying for position throughout the top 10. That formation flying didn’t last as Buemi succumbed to front wing damage, forcing the Envision Racing driver to pit. Sébastien unfortunately finished his race in 20th position.

"Contrasting weekend in Berlin. A great day on Saturday which started with the pole and some good records. During the first race I lost the podium in the last corner, because I didn't manage my energy very well on the last lap. It was a bit hard to accept because our car is very good. The next day, the weather conditions were totally different with qualifying in the rain. This allowed us to prove that our car is very efficient, I qualified 3rd. Race 2 went generally well, I had a good feeling. Unfortunately, a small contact damaged my front wing which forced me to stop in pit lane. I couldn't catch up with the rest of the group and so I finished with a DNF.
In any case, our car is performing and competitive, we still have to finalise everything to hope for a podium in Monaco.” Sébastien Buemi

The Formula E season resumes in a fortnight with the Monaco E-Prix on Saturday 6 May.