PREDICTOR TIPS: Who to watch out for in the Berlin season-finale

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PREDICTOR TIPS: Who to watch out for in the Berlin season-finale

PREDICTOR TIPS: Who to watch out for in the Berlin season-finale

There are just two more rounds to go before Formula E crowns its first-ever FIA World Champion. The historic Berlin Tempelhof is again the host for the season-finale, but who will come out on top? Get ahead with some tips for the final two chances to score big in Formula E Predictor and take home the exclusive VIP prizes.

It all comes down to this, the final countdown before the drivers face-off for Formula E's first-ever FIA World Championship crown is decided.

History is set to be made this weekend, and it's a fitting location as Berlin once again hosts the season-finale at the historic airfield at Tempelhof. There are 18 drivers with a mathematical chance of lifting the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship trophy, but there can be only one.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: See how the top 18 championship contenders stack up

Berlin is the only city to have hosted a race in every season of Formula E, and some big names have had successful trips to the German capital. With plenty of drivers to choose from for the last two rounds of Season 7, here are some tips to get your line-ups started.

 

For the win

When Formula E returned to action last season after an enforced break Antonio Felix da Costa fired out of the blocks in Berlin. He dominating with two wins on the bounce, a feat that would claim his maiden championship win - along with becoming the only driver to win two races in Berlin Tempelhof. The Portuguese's title defence has been up and down like a rollercoaster, but expect him to come out with all guns blazing in the final two rounds.

Mercedes-EQ concluded its rookie campaign in Formula E last season with a formidible one-two finish in the final round, with Stoffel Vandoorne taking their first win in all-electric racing. This season hasn't quite gone to plan for the Belgian with more than his share of unlucky moments, but don’t count the chances of him striking back in Berlin out.

Berlin has been kind to Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, with the legendary German marque taking eight podiums on their home soil. Lucas di Grassi stood on the top step in 2019, this time around it will be an emotional farewell for the Brazilian as Audi steps away from the sport. Can they end their successful partnership with silverware?

 

Top qualifiers

There have only been two Grand Slams completed in Formula E (pole, fastest lap, race win and leading every lap) - and they were both done in Berlin. Da Costa became the second driver to achieve this milestone in the first of six races in Berlin last season. The DS TECHEETAH driver will be looking to tap into that form again this weekend as he fights to retain the title.

On paper, Oliver Rowland has been the form guy for quick qualifying laps, but the Nissan e.dams star has been unable to convert that pace in the race. The man from Barnsley returns to friendly surrounds, Rowland started from pole in race five of six here last season and went on to take a stunning lights-to-flag victory, his first in Formula E.

Jean-Eric Vergne has gone well in qualifying in Berlin. The Frenchman has three pole positions to his name in the German capital. His first came in 2016 when Formula E had a brief sojourn to the streets around Alexanderplatz, but last season he took two Julius Baer Pole Positions on the bounce at Tempelhof. The former two-time champion will benefit from starting in Group 3 this time around too.

 

Fast laps

It seems strange not to include the man who has four TAG Heuer Fastest Laps to his name, but we’ll get to him later. With the 2020/21 championship all set to go right down to the wire, that single bonus point for the fastest lap is going to be vital to everyone’s title hopes.

Mitch Evans was impressive in his rookie race around the tricky Tempelhof Circuit in 2017, setting the fastest lap on the challenging concrete-laden circuit. The Jaguar Racing driver, who recently extended his contract with the team, backed this up again on the anti-clockwise leg of the six Tempelhof races last season, registering a new lap record.

Di Grassi and Da Costa have both set the fastest lap on two occasions around Tempelhof. The Audi driver clocked the quickest time in 2019 and last season, and the latter was quick on both variations of the circuit, picking off the fastest lap on the way to his Grand Slam on the clockwise track and then again on the traditional layout in race four of six.

 

The wildcards

Rene Rast has been an MVP in Predictor this season for fastest laps, the Audi driver has picked up a monumental four TAG Heuer Fastest Lap awards. The German is still in line to challenge for the title and will want to ensure Audi bow out on top. He was drafted into the German squad here last season - scoring a surprise podium finish in his fifth race for them.

Sitting at the head of the championship would usually be a comfortable seat, but Nyck de Vries has a challenge ahead of him this weekend. The Mercedes-EQ driver will be bolstered by the fact that the grippy surface that lines the Berlin Tempelhof will be less of a disadvantage come qualifying, he finished second to his teammate here last season and has two wins to his name in Season 7, can the Dutchman hold on and take the title?

READ MORE: De Vries: 'I know how highly Formula E is rated in our world - I want the pride for myself'

Mr Consistency in Season 7, Robin Frijns may be without a win in 2020/21 but the Dutchman is the only driver to have stayed in the top five of the championship since the opening weekend in Diriyah. The Envision Virgin Racing driver had good form in Berlin last season with two second-place finishes.

 

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