Formula E: Envision presents Aron & Eriksson as reserve drivers for Berlin E-Prix

Envision Racing has announced its drivers for the Berlin E-Prix: Jaguar replacement driver Joel Eriksson will be joined by Formula 2 driver Paul Aron in the team's Gen3 cars. The surprising choice of rookie Aron also has implications for the Misano E-Prix.

Due to a clash of dates with the World Endurance Championship, Envision Racing will have to do without its regular drivers Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns in Germany. After an agreement between the teams for a rule change was not reached, this affects both races at the double header at the Tempelhof airport circuit.

 “This is a very unusual situation for us as a team, and we are obviously frustrated that the calendar clash could not be resolved by the FIA and FEO,” said Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director at Envision Racing. “However, we have to make the best of the situation, and I believe with both Joel and Paul we have two very exciting and competitive drivers.” 

Joel Eriksson will make his Formula E comeback at the Berlin E-Prix on 11 and 12 May: The Swede drove eight races for Dragon Racing in 2021 after Nico Müller left the team in the middle of the season. He eventually became a test and reserve driver for Jaguar in 2023, but a regular cockpit in the electric series remained out of reach despite talks with several teams.

As a Jaguar reserve driver, he is familiar with the current drive system and has already got to know the Envision team during a joint test in 2018. As part of the collaboration between Jaguar and Envision, he will be released by the British manufacturer for the Berlin E-Prix: "It's a fantastic opportunity for me to drive in Formula E again - this time with Envision Racing. After my first Formula E test with them, I'm looking forward to driving for them in Berlin. We will work hard together to have a successful weekend," he says via press release.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be racing in Formula E again, this time with Envision Racing. After taking part in my first ever Formula E test with Envision, it’s great to be racing for them in Berlin, and we’ll be working hard together to have a successful weekend.” 

Formula 2 driver Aron ahead of Formula E debut in Berlin

He will have a Formula E newcomer as his team-mate: Paul Aron. The Estonian currently drives in Formula 2, where he has finished on the podium at each of the three race weekends held so far and is in second place in the overall standings. At the age of 20, Aron will be the youngest entrant in the history of the racing series.

In contrast to Eriksson, Aron has no previous experience in a Formula E car, so he is undergoing intensive simulator training ahead of the Berlin E-Prix in order to be as well prepared as possible for his outing. The team has also changed its plans for the Misano E-Prix: Instead of Jack Aitken, who was initially confirmed by Envision, Aron will be allowed to cover his first metres in the Envision car during the Free Practice 0 session.

"It's a great opportunity to race for Envision in Berlin," said Paul Aron. "I'm very much looking forward to experiencing Formula E for the first time and working with the team. We'll be working hard up until the race to prepare for the event, starting with the rookie test this week in Misano."