Discover more

racing feature maximilian guenther season 12

Maximilian Günther on tackling Tempelhof: 'It’s a special location'

FEATURE 29 Apr 2026 3 Mins

Flughafen Tempelhof is an infamous venue on the Formula E calendar; the unforgiving concrete that lines the historic airfield tests both energy and tyre management. One driver who has faced the challenge and come out on top is DS PENSKE's Maximilian Günther.

Discover more

racing feature maximilian guenther season 12

Feature by Robin Goodwin

"Tempelhof is a historic place; it’s a special location. With the track surface, it's the concrete that stands out the most, as you know, it was meant for planes," opens Maximilian Günther.

Both Berlin and Tempelhof have been a long-standing stop on the Formula E calendar, and the all-electric racing series is getting set for another trip to the historic airport.

Günther knows what it takes to win around there, with the DS PENSKE driver scoring an emphatic win on home soil in Season 6.

FULL RACE: Watch Günther's victory at home in Berlin

The energy, tyres and vibrations trifecta

The airfield-turned-public space is almost like a fantasy race location from a video game, with the twists and turns that make up this circuit around Tempelhof's concrete apron.

The track surface is made up of unforgiving concrete slabs that test not only the drivers’ skills in energy conservation, but tyre management is also thrown into the mix, as Günther explains: “The way the tyres operate on it, and especially how much tyre wear you have, it’s unique about this track.”

"There aren't many bumps, which are typical of other circuits. Instead, there are different concrete plates next to each other, which creates a constant vibration when you drive. So that's another element where you always have these small vibrations through the steering wheel throughout the whole lap."

As Günther notes, there is still one familiar sight lining the circuit: walls. "Like a normal Formula E circuit, we still have the walls, so we have to get really close to them and use all the road available without making a mistake. But generally, this track is quite wide, wider than a typical Formula E street circuit. So, a good thing is the overtaking; we have really good opportunities."

Blistering heat

As we get towards the warmer, summery days, the Berlin sunbathers will be coming out to soak in the rays and make the most of the open spaces in and around Tempelhof. If it wasn't for the small matter of a Formula E race this weekend, the forecast would be looking great for them. For all-electric racing, Günther recognises that hot weather introduces another variable, wreaking havoc on battery temperature and tyre degradation.

"It's dependent on ambient track temperature about how critical tyre management will be," said Günther. "Certainly, I remember, it was a factor already in these races that you needed to manage not only your energy, which on a track like this is crucial, but we had to look after the tyre condition. This can be the difference between winning or losing the race, especially in the later stages."

"I would say these are the two main challenges. I don't know how hot it will be; if it's super-hot, then there could be an additional element, which is the battery temperature."

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.