The German Driver David Beckmann talked ahead of the Berlin E-Prix with Fastest Formula News. He opened up about his Rookie Season with CUPRA KIRO and how he thinks his future holds in Formula E.
From starting as a Rookie in the 2022 Rookie Test in Berlin with Porsche, to driving his first full season. Beckmann finished his first race at home during the 2025 Berlin E-Prix. Though not being able to score the points he wished for, Beckmann had a good second race, leading his first rounds of Formula E.
How the role as test and reserve driver helped Beckmann during his Rookie Season
When Beckman looked back on his role as a test and reserve driver, he saw some clear changes in his life as he wasn’t able to jump into the car and take the wheel himself.
While he “still learned a lot, the German was very happy when he signed the contract with the CUPRA KIRO team. This marked the start of his rookie season, finding himself back in his “natural habitat.”
“Yes, there are actually a lot of things. First of all, it’s always nice to take part in races and race weekends, because the last few years I’ve always learned a lot as a reserve driver, but you still always sit in the pits and watch the other drivers get into the car, and you always have to watch, more or less, which of course isn’t always nice as a racing driver, because you also want to drive yourself and pursue your passion.”
“But yes, that’s why I was very happy that I was able to sign a contract with KIRO last year and that’s why I’m back in my natural habitat on the racetrack, which is a lot of fun, because the last few years have been a bit different, but I’ve still learned a lot and that’s why I’m happy that I’ve been able to shape the last races so far and learn a lot.”
Beckmann’s first full season with CUPRA KIRO
When Beckmann reflected on his first full Formula E season, he quickly pointed to just how unpredictable the championship can be. For the German, it was clear that “the weekend is never over after qualifying.” With energy management and race strategy playing such a crucial role. He learned that “you can go from the back to the front without any problems.”He highlighted how crucial preparation is in Formula E. Not only in terms of track knowledge, but through extensive simulator work to play through countless race scenarios.
“In Formula E, it’s very track-dependent, you can’t really take an overall conclusion. But you have to take a relatively relaxed approach. Even after qualifying the race isn’t over, a lot happens in Formula E. Especially on tracks that are maybe a bit longer or where you use a bit more energy, you can go from the back to the front without any problems and that’s what I’ll take away. That you can do your best in qualifying, but if it’s not enough, and you’re a bit further back, then the weekend isn’t over yet.”
“You can still make up a lot of ground in the race, and a lot of unpredictable things happen that you don’t normally think about when you start at the back. But then a few accidents happen, a few cars, it’s a street circuit, a lot happens. Three or four cars drop out in front of you, and then you’re suddenly in the points. Or in Tokyo in the rain, early pit stop, and then you’re suddenly at the front like Vandoorne, for example. It all happens so quickly, so you always have to keep calm.”
Beckmann feels “comfortable” in the car and with the CUPRA KIRO Team
“We’ve spent a lot of time in the simulator,” Beckmann explained, praising CUPRA KIRO’s efforts in setting up a dedicated environment. He revealed he feels more at home with the car and confident in his personal setup philosophy.
Beckmann believes he’s now found his rhythm: “Every driver has their own setup, their own approach – I’ve found mine now,” he said. With growing self-belief and familiarity with the circuits, he’s optimistic about what’s to come: “Next year, if I were to drive, I know I’d be better prepared. I feel comfortable. I’m ready.”
“The racing process is very complicated. You have to have a very close exchange with the engineer and a lot of preparation. Invest a lot of time on the simulator, not even in terms of the track, but simply to go through and play through all the racing situations. That’s very important and I’ve done that better.”
“We have a bit more simulator work. KIRO has now set up his own simulator again and we’ve spent a lot of time in the simulator. That’s very important, you don’t have much time on the track and I’ve adapted the pace well now. I feel very comfortable in the car in qualifying and I’ve also figured out my setup.”
“That’s always the issue as a driver in the new car. We’ve adapted my philosophy and every driver has their own set-up, their own philosophy. With which set-up they are fast in the race or in qualifying and I would take that with me for next season, if I were to drive and basically next year.”
“If I were to drive, I have more self-confidence anyway and know most of the tracks. Which is also a big advantage in the end. Because you simply save a lot of time and can perhaps focus on other things. And not just on getting to know the track and finding all the references and then you are automatically always a bit faster.”
Keeping a calm and strategic mindset as a key factor in Formula E
When Beckmann talked about racing in Formula E, his focus quickly shifted to the importance of keeping a calm and strategic mindset: “You always have to keep a calm head in the race,” he said, pointing to how easily things can unravel through just one wrong move — whether it’s an aggressive first-lap manoeuvre or a misjudged pit stop.
Unlike more conventional series where drivers simply push from start to finish, Formula E demands a high degree of anticipation and adaptability. “You have to go through all the scenarios with the engineers beforehand,” Beckmann explained. That includes anything from starting positions to unexpected safety cars or energy-saving strategies that could change the entire outcome of a race.
“I think the most important thing to realize is that you always have to keep a calm head in the race. Because, as I said, so much can happen, and you can quickly ruin the race with small manoeuvres or mistakes. Where you end up thinking, I wouldn’t have thought that I would have got so far ahead if I hadn’t done this or that. It ranges from pit stops to overtaking manoeuvres in the first few corners. Or strategic things that you might not have really considered beforehand.”
“You have to go through everything in detail with the engineers beforehand. In which position, you start and simply go through all the scenarios that could happen. Because if something happens, you have to be prepared, and in the other race scenes that’s usually not the case. It’s simply a case of defending the first lap completely and then driving at the limit and not destroying the tires.”
With a “good powertrain from Porsche” CUPRA KIRO and Beckmann should end up at front
This meticulous preparation is especially vital in a championship where fortunes can change rapidly. “Sometimes you start at the back, and suddenly you’re at the front at the end of the race,” he said. Underlining how the energy management game can flip the order in just a few laps. Beckmann credits much of his team’s success to a solid technical foundation. “We have a good powertrain from Porsche,” he said confidently. But while the tools are there, the execution still hinges on precision and awareness. “Most of the time, you kind of ruin it for yourself,” he admitted. Noting that when strategy, pace, and composure align, CUPRA KIRO’s package is more than capable of consistently delivering points.
“Here in Formula E, it’s strategic, sometimes you start at the back of the field and it can be that you’re suddenly at the front at the end of the race. Because you’ve saved a lot more energy. For example, you use a lot of energy up front, and then you fall to the back, or you’re lucky, there’s a safety car. There can be a lot.”
“So you just have to keep a calm head and be in close contact with the team. And as long as you don’t make any mistakes at the end and the car is in a good balance. We have a good powertrain from Porsche anyway. Then, unless you’re really unlucky, there’s nothing to stop you from taking home a good result.”
