Who will win the voestalpine European races ahead of Formula E’s grand finale?

After the inaugural round in the ancient ruins of Rome, through to Paris, Monaco and Berlin – in just a matter of days, the voestalpine European races will come to a head in Bern in the for 2019 Julius Baer Swiss E-Prix on June 22. With 10 drivers in with a chance of lifting the hotly contested trophy, we weigh up the odds ahead of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship’s European final. With just two rounds remaining in New York City, it’s make or break for the Championship in Bern. 

The favourite – Jean-Eric Vergne, DS Techeetah  

With a Championship title to defend, the pressure’s on DS Techeetah’s Jean-Eric Vergne to dominate the voestalpine European races in order to cement his second Championship title in New York City. With a win in Europe already this season, when he raced to victory in Monaco, and a third-place finish in Berlin, the 29-year old Frenchman will need any podium finish to clinch the voestalpine European races trophy here in Bern ahead of his title challenge on the streets of New York City. 

The challenger - Andre Lotterer, DS Techeetah

New to Formula E back at the beginning of the 2017/18 season, Andre Lotterer has gone from strength to strength over the course of his all-electric career. Despite no win this season, the German driver leads the voestalpine European races after a second-place finish in Rome and Paris. With one race left, Lotterer will be looking for any podium finish in Bern to secure the trophy.  

The underdog - Mitch Evans, Panasonic Jaguar Racing

After scoring a spectacular maiden win in Rome, Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans has shown his more than capable of battling at the front of the pack. Currently placed sixth in the standings, the Kiwi driver was the first to lead the voestalpine European races before handing it to Andre Lotterer in Paris. With just 33 points separating him from Championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne, clinching the voestalpine European races trophy (with any podium finish) would provide a much-needed lift to Evan’s Championship hopes.

The comeback – Robin Frijns, Envision Virgin Racing

After a spell with Andretti in both the 2015/16 and 2016/17 Formula E seasons, Dutchman Robin Frijns returned to the series at the start of the 2018/19 season with Envision Virgin Racing. Since then, he has outperformed his seasoned teammate Sam Bird to find himself fifth in the Championship standings ahead of Bern. After a spectacular win in Paris despite pouring rain and hail, Frijns has had a sensational return to form in the all-electric series but will it be enough to be crowned king of the voestalpine European races?   

The strategist - Lucas di Grassi, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler

One of the undisputed masters of the all-electric street racing series, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler’s Lucas di Grassi has once again made up for lost ground in Europe. With a win in Berlin, the Brazilian driver now sits second in the Championship standings behind leader Jean-Eric Vergne. Should di Grassi reach the podium for the second time in the voestalpine European races, the Audi driver has a strong chance of clinching the trophy ahead of his second title challenge in New York City.  

The rookie – Oliver Rowland, Nissan e.dams

Back in the opening round of the season in Saudi Arabia, very few people would have predicted that rookie Nissan e.dams driver Oliver Rowland would be sitting in the top ten with only three races left. But, against all odds, the plucky British driver has managed to outperform his highly-seasoned teammate Sebastien Buemi, who sits behind him tenth in the standings. With two podiums, one after finishing second in Monaco, the rookie will need to slot into the top two places on the podium to be in with a chance of lifting the voestalpine European races trophy ahead of New York.  

The master - Sebastien Buemi , Nissan e.dams

Going purely by career wins in Formula E, Nissan e.dams’ Sebastien Buemi is the most successful driver in the history of Formula E with 12 victories to his name. But despite his impressive win rate, the Swiss driver is yet to secure a win in the 2018/19 season. Now, in his local race here in Bern, Buemi will be desperate to top his second-place finish in Berlin and take the voestalpine European races trophy on home turf. To be in with a chance, Buemi will need to make it to the top two steps of the podium at the very least.  

The outsider - Stoffel Vandoorne, HWA Racelab

So far, the 2018/19 Formula E season hasn’t been kind to newcomers HWA Racelab. With 38 points in total, the team sits ninth in the standings, 150 points adrift of leaders DS Techeetah. Despite the team’s overall position, driver Stoffel Vandoorne has enjoyed his first European Formula E campaign, scoring his first and only podium after finishing third in Rome. Nothing short of a win will enable the Belgian driver to lift the voestalpine European trophy here in Bern. 

The hopeful - Daniel Abt, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler 

Sitting beside Lucas di Grassi in the Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler outfit is German driver Daniel Abt. After securing a third-place finish in Paris, nothing short of a win in Bern would enable the German driver to walk home with the voestalpine European races trophy. 

The seasoned contender - Felipe Massa, Venturi Formula E Team 

Long-time motorsport master Felipe Massa had a slow start to his first Formula E season after making his debut in the first race in Saudi Arabia. Since then, the Venturi rookie secured his first podium ‘at home’ in Monaco after he finished third. With just three races left, Massa will be looking to lift the voestalpine European races trophy after securing a nothing but a win here ahead of the season finale in New York City.