Nick Cassidy secures a Formula E podium for Citroen during an emotional weekend in Tokyo: "It’s super tough, but amazing"

Following the sudden death of team principal Cyril Blais, the race weekend in Tokyo has proved extremely difficult for Citroen Racing. It was only a few days ago that the Frenchman’s passing was announced. Despite the emotional circumstances, Nick Cassidy finished third on Formula E Saturday, securing another podium finish for the team.

Even six days after the announcement of the tragic death of Citroën team principal Blais, the news continues to weigh heavily on the Formula E world and, above all, on the team itself. Ahead of Saturday’s race, they paid tribute to him with moving images and a minute’s silence. He is also being commemorated this weekend on Citroen’s Gen3 Evo cars.

Nevertheless, the show had to go on. After all, the team had made it their mission to achieve the best possible results for Blais in Tokyo. They succeeded in doing so with Nick Cassidy, who secured an emotional third place. Earlier, both Cassidy and his team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne had put in a strong performance in qualifying. Both drivers reached the duels.

"Everyone's hurting right now"

With the right strategy involving the Pit Boost and Attack Mode, the New Zealander fought his way up to third place. In his post-race interview, he appeared downcast due to the difficult circumstances: "Ending on the podium tonight is super tough, but it's amazing. The team has done a really good job with the car that they've given me since Free Practice 1. They gave me a great strategy and a great car. Everyone's hurting right now, but I'm glad we could do our best in conditions like today," he said succinctly, but emotionally.

The next race is already on the schedule for tomorrow, when the second leg of the double-header takes place in Tokyo. This gives the team another chance to achieve the best possible result in the name of their late team principal and thus honour him.