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sebastien buemi envision racing

Buemi on his Formula E future ahead of his 150th career start in Berlin

29 Apr 2026 5 Mins

Hear from the Formula E Champion as he approaches his 150th career start.

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sebastien buemi envision racing

Interview by Katy Fairman

Alongside Lucas di Grassi, Envision Racing’s Sebatien Buemi is one of two drivers on our current grid that started the very first Formula E race: the 2014 Beijing E-Prix. In that time he became a champion, achieved 14 wins, 36 podiums and 17 wins to make him one of the all-time greats of the all-electric championship.

On the eve of his 150th Formula E race start, Championship Journalist Katy Fairman caught up with the Swiss driver who picked up a podium earlier this year in Jeddah as well as securing a record-equalling Julius Baer Pole Position in Mexico City.

“I like the look of the GEN4 car,” Buemi begins when we talk about Formula E’s latest generation, which was revealed to drivers and media last week. “We [drivers] don't care about the look at the end of the day, but still, you look at the car and it looks nice. It's big and I really feel like there's a lot of performance. So as a driver, it's very nice to be driving that car and I feel that I'm gonna like it.”

Buemi did sign a multi-year contract with Envision Racing after his Monaco victory last season, so it’s expected he will be sure to stick around.

Sometimes coined ‘motorsport's busiest man’ Buemi is not just allocating his time to Formula E, he also has a Simulator Driver role with Red Bull Racing in Formula 1 and only recently helped Toyota win in Imola across the World Endurance Championship. He is a supremely experienced individual, but Formula E still remains a top priority to the 37-year-old.

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“Of course, with WEC, Red Bull and Formula E, to put it all together is not that simple. So I think a lot [my future] will depend on, obviously performance in general as you have to be good, but also the calendars, as usual.”

Berlin returns this weekend, a place Buemi has two wins at – one at the Tempelhof and the temporary street circuit around Strausberger Platz in 2016. It’s a double-header event, with a PIT BOOST race on Saturday and the usual running on Sunday.

“With PIT BOOST I usually like those races,” Buemi continues.”The fact that there is only one ATTACK MODE, even if it's a bit longer being six minutes. I think the problem is that you need to qualify quite well because the PIT BOOST races usually have more energy, less saving. The fact that there is only one ATTACK MODE, although things make it more important to qualify well.

“And then obviously the second race being more like a traditional race usually allows you, even if you have a great strategy, you don't have to be that fast. Whereas in the first race, you've got to have some proper speed, in my opinion.”

PREVIEW: Berlin is back as Formula E returns for Rounds 7 and 8

In addition to his commitments with Envision, Buemi has proved a crucial addition to the Red Bull Racing team as they navigate this new era of regulations. Almost half of our grid are understood to be assisting teams across the 2026 season, thanks to their experience with our all-electric single-seaters.

“We've been working on the 2026 cars for a very long time, so of course I've given my feedback and what I think makes sense and not. You must keep in mind that in F1, the scope to do things is a lot more reduced compared to here, so regulations are a lot tighter and do not allow you to do what you want.

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“However, at the beginning, the learning process was very quick and big because of my experience. Now, I already feel like within the team and even in F1, people are getting on top of it already slowly and obviously the input you can bring will reduce. But it's been interesting because as you can imagine, with 50% combustion and 50% electric, you rely a lot more on energy management, which will be very important in F1 this year, depending on the track. It's going to be interesting to see.”

As well as the Julius Baer Pole Position in Mexico City, Buemi climbed from seventh on the grid in Jeddah to second place in Round 5. With the potential Envision have been showing this season, as they sit fourth in the teams’ standings before Berlin, could we see another podium or even a victory for Buemi across this special anniversary weekend?

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2026 Hankook Berlin E-Prix, Rounds 7 & 8

Formula E is back in Berlin for Rounds 7 & 8 of the 2025/26 season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship! Over the years, the track has hosted some of Formula E’s most iconic races, with titles won and lost and history made. Tune in to find out who takes victory at Tempelhof Airport this time on Saturday 2 May & Sunday 3 May.

Free Practice 1: Friday 1 May, 16:00 local / 15:00 BST
Free Practice 2: Saturday 2 May, 09:30 local / 08:30 BST
Qualifying: Saturday 2 May, 11:40 local / 10:40 BST
Race: Saturday 2 May, 16:05 local / 15:05 BST

Free Practice 3: Sunday 3 May, 09:30 local / 08:30 BST
Qualifying: Sunday 3 May, 11:40 local / 10:40 BST
Race: Sunday 3 May, 16:05 local / 15:05 BST

View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.

Follow the race LIVE on web and in the Formula E app!

Keep across Live Timing – which includes a real-time interactive track map and the ability to follow your favourite driver during every session of every E-Prix – plus highlights, detailed session reports, exclusive interviews, all the standings and results as well as data, insight and reaction from trackside.

LIVE: Follow every lap live, with reaction and coverage at fiaformulae.com/live

Additionally, Formula E’s social media channels, website, and app will provide session reports, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights from trackside during the five-day event.