Points for Felipe Drugovich & Sergio Sette Camara - reserve drivers impress at Formula E in Berlin

Formula E's Berlin E-Prix clashed with the World Endurance Championship race in Sao Paulo. As a result, both Nyck de Vries and Norman Nato were contractually obliged to prioritise their participation in the WEC over Formula E. Mahindra saw debutant Felipe Drugovich step into the car, while former ERT regular Sergio Sette Camara returned to the race cockpit for Nissan. Both experienced a weekend of highs and lows, but brought both teams points.

On Saturday, both drivers had to learn the hard way in rainy conditions. It was not an ideal start for the Brazilians, especially due to the lack of track time following the cancellation of the second free practice session. Neither Drugovich nor Sette Camara made it into the points in the chaotic race. The Nissan reserve driver was also at fault for a collision with David Beckmann, which forced the German to retire.

Sunday went much more smoothly as the rain slowly cleared. In qualifying, however, both reserve riders had their problems. Mahindra and Drugovich made life difficult for themselves with a software error, and Sette Camara simply did not have enough pace. Starting 19th and 21st on the grid was not ideal, but in a very tactical race it was not the end either, with Nick Cassidy ultimately winning from 20th place!

Drugovich among the top 3 at times

The Brazilian reserve drivers even drove the same strategy as the Jaguar winner and pushed far forward. At times, Drugovich was even among the top three. However, the Mahindra driver considered a podium in the first race to be out of reach. According to him, he lacks the experience for this: "Maybe if I had driven in Formula E for a year longer - yes, I think so", Drugovich told e-Formula.news.

For the time being, he was very satisfied with 7th place: "For my first race - and such an energy-intensive race - that was good. I performed well and my team did a great job with the strategy." Whether he will continue in Formula E or even continue his collaboration with Mahindra is not certain: "We will see. I'm not sure yet," says the former Formula 2 champion, who is also being considered as a Formula 1 candidate for the new Cadillac team.

Sette Camara disappointed despite points

Sergio Sette Camara also scored points. He crossed the finish line in tenth place, but then benefited from a penalty against Nico Müller and was classified ninth. Sebastien Buemi's retirement affected his race, however, as he explained to e-Formula.news: "The safety car came out after I had activated the first Attack Mode. I then wasted all the extra power behind the safety car."

The Brazilian is certain that he could have been right up front: "After the safety car, I was out of the fight for victory. Normally I should have been at the front, I was on the same strategy as Cassidy and Dennis." For Sette Camara it was a weekend full of what-ifs: "I had a problem in 1st free practice, then there was no 2nd free practice. I didn't manage to set a fast lap in the 3rd free practice. The same problem in qualifying, and then the safety car..."

Despite the many problems, Sette Camara proved that he has not forgotten how to drive since his regular driver programme with the current Cupra Kiro team. He will also be back at the track in London, but for now only as a reserve for Norman Nato, who is returning to the team after his victory in the WEC. "I am ready for anything, but the idea is to be there in London as a reserve driver. At least I don't know about anything else yet."

In London, Nissan will be fighting for both the manufacturers' and teams' championships with Porsche. We will find out on 26 and 27 July whether Oliver Rowland and (probably) Nato will be able to score enough points!