Explained: Oliver Rowland will be Formula E World Champion on Saturday in Berlin when...

Ahead of the Berlin E-Prix, Nissan driver Oliver Rowland leads the world championship by 69 points. This means that for the first time ever, a driver could secure the Formula E title in the fourth-last race of the season. e-Formula.news sheds light on the constellations in which this historic event could happen.

A maximum of 29 points are up for grabs for a driver at an E-Prix: 25 points for winning the race, plus three points for pole position and a further point for the fastest race lap in the top ten. Consequently, with three rounds still to go, a lead of 88 points would be mathematically impossible to make up.

How it stands

Rowland has a 69-point lead over second-placed Pascal Wehrlein ahead of the Berlin E-Prix. Third is Antonio Felix da Costa, who is already 74 points behind. They are followed by Taylor Barnard (80 points behind) and Dan Ticktum (92 points behind). All other drivers are so far behind Rowland that they have nothing to do with an early decision on race Saturday in Berlin.

In order to be crowned champion, Rowland must extend his lead over Wehrlein by at least 19 points. However, this is only possible if Rowland himself finishes on the podium - if he finishes third, he would need the bonus points for pole position and the fastest race lap in the top ten.

P1 for Rowland

Even if Rowland were to take the maximum points haul of 29 championship points on Saturday, a fourth place or better would be enough for Pascal Wehrlein to postpone the final decision by at least one race. Felix da Costa would also postpone the decision with a second place finish.

If Rowland takes the race win but not pole position, Wehrlein would be satisfied with sixth place, Felix da Costa with third place or Taylor Barnard with pole position and second place. If pole position even goes to Wehrlein, the German would be satisfied with seventh place, while fifth place for Felix da Costa would postpone the decision.

P2 for Rowland

If Rowland starts from pole position and finishes second in the race, Wehrlein could postpone the decision with 8th place. Felix da Costa would need 6th place to remain mathematically in the title fight, Barnard even 3rd place. Ticktum would have to win the race and at the same time hope that Rowland does not set the fastest race lap in the top 10 to still have a chance.

If Rowland were to finish second without achieving pole position, Wehrlein would keep the decision open with a single point for 10th place. Felix da Costa would need six points - either for seventh place or eighth place including pole position - to remain in the race for the title. Barnard, on the other hand, would need twelve points to keep his chances alive: 4th place or 5th place including pole position. Ticktum could only have a chance of winning the title himself with a race win.

P3 for Rowland

Third place for Rowland would only lead to the title if the Briton also receives the bonus points for pole position and the fastest race lap. In any case, a single point would also be enough for Wehrlein to postpone the decision. For Felix da Costa, at least 7th place, for Barnard at least 4th place and for Ticktum a race win would be necessary for a postponement.

When is the decision postponed?

If just one of these seven conditions is met, we will not be able to celebrate a new Formula E world champion on 12 July:

1. Wehrlein, Felix da Costa or Barnard finish ahead of Rowland.
2. Rowland does not finish on the podium.
3. Rowland only finishes third, but does not take pole position.
4. Wehrlein finishes fourth or better.
5. Felix da Costa finishes second or better.
6. Barnard starts from pole position and finishes second or better.
7. Ticktum wins, and Rowland does not finish second from pole position or with the fastest race lap.

Admittedly, the constellations under which Oliver Rowland can celebrate his title on Saturday seem quite theoretical. On the other hand, the Nissan driver has already achieved four race wins, three further podium finishes and three pole positions this season. It is therefore not impossible that he could already "seal the deal" in race 13 of the season.