Number 2 drivers from Nissan & Kiro threatened with Formula E exit - David Beckmann under pressure at Berlin home race

Oliver Rowland is the measure of all things in Formula E this year, and Dan Ticktum has been pushing the boundaries of what is possible for Cupra Kiro for weeks. But both Nissan and Kiro have the same problem, which is costing them important positions in the teams' championship: a second driver who cannot keep up in terms of results. Due to missing the Berlin E-Prix, Norman Nato only has a slight remaining chance of defending his cockpit for next year at the finale in London. David Beckmann, on the other hand, still has four opportunities to do so - starting with his two home races in Berlin.

The fact that Beckmann was signed by Cupra Kiro at the start of the season was a surprise, as the team was saying goodbye to one of its key players, Sergio Sette Camara. Kiro certainly had high expectations of the German, not least because he had already gained experience with the new Porsche powertrain. However, after twelve of 16 races, Beckmann has yet to score a single championship point, while team-mate Ticktum is shining in fifth place.

Beckmann's highlights of the season so far have been two duel participations in qualifying, which he must now build on as quickly as possible. Two good group stages in Shanghai and Miami are not enough. Progress over the course of the season is definitely recognisable, but in order to secure his cockpit, he needs to achieve tangible successes. Berlin as his home race will hopefully give Beckmann a boost. Norman Nato has shown in the past that drivers can turn things around late in the season.

This time, however, it is likely to be difficult (once again) for the Frenchman. He is in 19th place in the drivers' standings with 19 points. Here, too, the direct comparison is striking: Rowland is first in the world championship with 172 points.

Nato's weakest season to date

Nato has only managed to beat his team-mate once in the three seasons he has competed in Formula E: in season 9, he beat the then rookie Sacha Fenestraz at Nissan, but he was unable to compete with his team-mates at either Andretti or Venturi. His biggest points gap to date was 75 points behind world champion Jake Dennis in season 10. His contract with Andretti was cancelled at the time.

The one-time Formula E race winner is currently 153 points behind Oliver Rowland - without a win, a podium or a result in the top five. His best results of the season were two sixth places in China and Miami, although it should be noted that he would have finished first in Miami had it not been for a no-fault penalty. Nevertheless, all signs currently point to the contract with Nato not being renewed.

However, there is still one last spark of hope for him. In the three full seasons he has raced, Nato has scored a significant proportion of his points in the last few races. Of 164 career points in Formula E before season 11, 84 points came from the last four races. That equates to 51 per cent of his total points. Last but not least, the Frenchman won the final race in Berlin in season 9 with a dominant lead.

Decisive weekend also for Sette Camara

However, Sergio Sette Camara could also tip the scales. After the Brazilian had to make way for Beckmann at Kiro, he docked with Nissan as a reserve driver. Now he will get his big chance to recommend himself for a permanent Nissan cockpit at the double-header in Berlin, as Nato is not at site due to a WEC assignment. If Sette Camara impresses and scores important points for the teams' championship, he could possibly stay in the car in London - and maybe for next season.

In any case, there will be a lot of changes in Formula E ahead of the coming season, as many shifts in the driver constellations are imminent. McLaren is pulling out, Stellantis is juggling his various brands and Nick Cassidy is leaving Jaguar. This opens up some new options in the driver selection for Nissan and Cupra Kiro. In addition to some Formula E veterans, the rookies are also receiving more and more support and showing their potential. Big names such as Felipe Drugovich and Theo Pourchaire are pushing their way into the electric racing series.

Taylor Barnard and McLaren have been proving this season just how much a young talent can achieve. Compared to that, David Beckmann's season seems to have been all the more disappointing. The same also applies to rookie Zane Maloney by the way, who, however, is in a much weaker car. The double-header in Berlin this weekend (12 and 13 July) will possibly be career-deciding for the young German, for Sette Camara and maybe for Nato too.