Heading into the Formula E 2025 Berlin E-Prix, Cupra KIRO Driver, David Beckmann, feels ready to score his first points of the year.
The Berlin E-Prix is home ground for Beckmann, scoring the first points of his rookie campaign would be an extra special result at the Tempelhof Airport Circuit. Speaking exclusively to Fastest Formula News, the 25-year-old revealed what it means to race at home and how he learns from previous experiences on track.
Being at home does not give Beckmann “a push”
Beckmann, one of three German drivers on the grid, was looking forward to his home race in Berlin, the Cupra KIRO Driver returning to the track after he drove here in the 2022 Rookie Test. He started with the German team Porsche.
Though his family and friends will support him, he does not feel he “necessarily [gets] a push” out of the location. After the 2022 Rookie Test, Beckmann is excited to race in his home country for the first time. He told Fastest Formula News in Berlin that he will “try to make the home race a good one.”
“Oh yes, I wouldn’t say a push, but it’s still nice to drive in Germany. Formula E has been in Berlin for some time now. I also drove my first test in Formula E, back in season 9 with Porsche, at the rookie test. So yes, I actually have a nice relationship with the track, as it was my first time behind the wheel here.”
“And I still got a lot of guests, friends, family, so of course it’s always nice. But not necessarily a push. But I’m obviously looking forward to driving in Germany and of course I’ll try to make the home race a good one.”
Several layout changes and bad weather
While talking to Fastest Formula News at the Tempelhof Airport Circuit, Beckmann revealed that the race around will not be the easiest of the season. Heavy rain is forecasted, and the different track conditions, compared to other tracks.
The unique nature track can cause an abrasive surface, leading to severe degradation. While Beckmann does have some experience in Berlin, he said the Berlin E-Prix is “something new again,” due to several layout changes of the Tempelhof Airport Circuit since.
“So the track has changed a lot, which is perhaps a positive thing. It also rained briefly back then, so we drove a bit in the rain. It’s not quite so easy here on the track, there are asphalt-concrete slabs that have been laid together and it’s often very slippery when you drive over these patches where they have been joined together, in the rain.”
“That’s why, if it rains on Saturday, the weather forecast doesn’t look too good, I can at least use some experience during it, but the layout has changed completely, so it’s something new again. It has also changed a bit from last year, the two corners are a bit different. But basically, the track is not incredibly demanding because it is relatively flat.”
Good balance and start procedure could help Beckmann into the points
Though the track can be challenging on the tyres, the drivers “always have good balance” around the Tempelhof Airport Circuit, as the track is quite flat and not as bumpy. This gives the drivers the chance to deliver good results during the weekend.
Due to this, Beckmann thinks that he “could do quite well” this weekend. While normally the start is something experienced drivers can use to their advantage, Beckmann revealed that this won’t come into consideration this weekend, as the track is not as uneven as other ones on the calendar.
“As a result, you always have a good balance in the car, unlike on some other Formula E circuits where it’s very bumpy and where you can often make up a lot of ground with experience at the start. But I think that I could do quite well here, in other words deliver a good performance.”
Success of teammate Ticktum does not change Beckmann’s approach on the other side of the garage
Beckmann also revealed to Fastest Formula News that he knew it “was only a matter of time” until his team-mate Dan Ticktum would secure a strong result.
When being asked about the differences on the two sides of the garage, the German told us that, though it was his rookie season, he feels he should be able to get better results, as the car has the pace.
“I’ve said that before, Dan is obviously an experienced driver. He’s been driving in Formula E for four years now and hasn’t really had the car to show his potential in recent years. So it was really only a matter of time before he got good results.”
Having a successful teammate, while not scoring any points so far into the season, is an uncommon thing in this series. With Formula E being “a very demanding series” it is hard for the drivers to figure out what exactly is going on during the race. As Beckmann said: “You’re not driving at the limit all the time, but approaching the race strategically.”
“It’s a bit different for us, I’m obviously in my rookie season. But that shouldn’t be an excuse, of course, but I’m learning every race. Formula E is a very demanding series and it’s particularly difficult to find out exactly what’s going on as a driver in the race. Because you’re not driving at the limit all the time, but approaching the race strategically.”
With “a bit more luck” Beckmann will score points
Beckmann continued on the topic of his performance throughout the season, as “it’s sometimes a bit difficult in the race.” Though, he was able to get to the Duels two times in qualifying. With the pace that the car has, it should be possible for Beckmann to drive into the points. Beckmann said that there were “always little things […] that have always ruined the race.”
“That’s why it’s sometimes a bit difficult in the race. We had good qualifying sessions, we have good pace, I feel comfortable in the car. I’m also fast in qualifying, we were in the duel twice, so the pace isn’t missing now. It’s just a bit of experience and a bit of luck that’s missing in the race.”
While he did not get the results that he wanted during the season, the German is “still positive about the future.” Continuing with “a bit more luck” and him doing “a better job”, Beckmann believes he will be able to drive into the points at the Tempelhof Airport circuit.
“Yes, there have always been little things with the tech modem, safety car and things like that that have always ruined the race a bit. But I’m still positive about the future and know that if we have a bit more luck and do a better job, we’ll definitely be right there in the points in the race.”
