Pepe Martí admitted the 2026 Formula E Berlin E-Prix became one of the most extreme experiences of his young career after facing the unique pack-racing characteristics of Tempelhof Airport Circuit. The Cupra Kiro driver finished seventh in the opening race and 12th in the second event, although the results only partially reflected the complexity of the energy management strategies and constant position changes throughout the weekend.
Berlin once again delivered the most aggressive peloton-style racing of the Gen3 Formula E era. Tempelhof’s wide layout and heavy braking zones encouraged drivers to save energy while waiting for opportunities through slipstreaming and Attack Mode deployment. The result was hundreds of overtakes across both races, including several moments where four cars ran side-by-side into corners. For a rookie such as Martí, the racing style represented a major contrast compared to traditional single-seater categories, where track position usually dictates finishing potential.
Martí explained that his overall energy strategy was largely executed correctly during the race. However, the constant fluctuations in track position made race management extremely difficult, particularly inside large groups where momentum shifts could happen within seconds. In several situations, an attempted overtake immediately turned into a loss of multiple positions through the next sequence of corners.
"Honestly, it’s just so different to any other motorsport. There are things you simply cannot control. Strategy-wise we actually did everything correctly, but sometimes the situations just worked against us," said Martí.
The second Berlin race became even more challenging after Martí lost his right-side mirror early in the event. In modern Formula E racing, visibility is critical because drivers must constantly monitor rivals activating Attack Mode with additional power output. Losing that visual reference significantly complicated decision-making during close pack-racing situations.
He described one of the most dangerous moments when Felipe Drugovich suddenly appeared with Attack Mode activated on the straight. With the extra power advantage creating a substantial speed difference, Martí admitted he struggled to judge the available space while three cars approached the braking zone side-by-side.
"There was a moment where we were three-wide and suddenly Felipe appeared on Attack Mode. In half a second everything changes completely. You feel comfortable, then suddenly it feels like there’s a wall in front of you," he explained.
The Berlin pack-racing spectacle once again reignited discussion about the balance between energy-saving strategy and racing purity in Formula E. Since the arrival of the Gen3 era, extreme slipstream races have become increasingly common, particularly at low-grip circuits such as Tempelhof. The former airport’s concrete surface produces limited grip and unusual tyre behaviour, placing a heavier emphasis on energy efficiency and tyre temperature management rather than outright one-lap pace.
For Cupra and Kiro Race Co, Martí’s performance still represented a positive indicator despite the chaotic conditions. The 20-year-old Spaniard maintained competitive consistency during one of the season’s most unpredictable races while continuing to adapt to the demanding characteristics of the Gen3 Evo package. With the championship entering a decisive phase, the lessons learned in Berlin are expected to become valuable preparation for future energy-saving races later in the 2026 Formula E season.
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