While the Bern E-Prix marks the penultimate weekend of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship's fifth season of competition, the race in the Swiss capital marks the final stage of the all-electric single-seater series' European leg – also known as the Voestalpine European Races.
Serving as a mini championship within the main Season 5 campaign, the Voestalpine European Race calendar commenced at April's Rome E-Prix earlier this year. Spanning five rounds, the sub-tournament is not based on the amount of points scored by a driver, but is based upon which driver secures the best collection of podium finishes.
After four rounds, the battle for victory in the Voestalpine European Races is far from over, with Formula E's so far unpredictable Gen2 era leaving 10 drivers in contention for the unique trophy on offer – 3D printed by the Austrian-based technology company, title sponsor of the sub-championship.
At the top of the list of 10 is current Drivers' Championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne, the DS Techeetah driver holding two podiums at present after winning in Monaco and taking a memorable third-placed podium finish at last month's Berlin E-Prix.
Also sitting on two podiums is Andre Lotterer, with the three-time Le Mans winner holding a pair of second-placed finishes – scored in Rome and Paris. Currently winless this season and therefore in the European leg of the calendar, however, Lotterer is, at present, sitting in a competitive but insecure second, close to Vergne but only marginally ahead of the third-placed drivers.
Third place in the standings is currently tied between Mitch Evans, Robin Frijns and Formula E's most recent race winner Lucas di Grassi, with the trio holding one podium a piece through their respective victories in Rome, Paris and Berlin.
Nissan e.dams team-mates Oliver Rowland and Sebastien Buemi sit in joint fourth place, the pair holding one podium apiece through second-placed finishes in Monaco for the prior and Berlin for the latter.
HWA Racelab's Stoffel Vandoorne, Audi's Daniel Abt and Venturi newcomer Felipe Massa sit at the bottom of the table, holding a collective fifth place with each driver holding one third-placed finish each.
Racing on a new circuit this weekend, marked by a blend of fast and tight corners, long straights and extensive elevation changes, the Bern Street Circuit poses a challenge to all teams, with Formula E once again hitting the reset button as it visits a new city.
With a high chance of rain on race day and the ever-present threat of a thunderstorm during qualifying for the 11th race of the season, it's likely that Formula E will once again see a shakeup, making the Voestalpine European Races trophy almost anyone's to capture.
