
Round eight of this year's Formula E world championship is taking place in Berlin this weekend.

Formerly held at the Tempelhof Airport, the action will now take place on a brand new circuit along the Strausberger Platz, in the Mitte district of the German capital.

The 2-kilometre track features 11 turns.

The historic Alexander Platz and the TV tower provide an eye-catching backdrop.

The ABT Schaeffler team prepare their cars for Saturday's race. The German team will be hoping for a good result on home soil in Berlin.

Last season's race was won by Lucas di Grassi (C) on the track, but he was disqualified for a technical infringement, handing victory to Jerome D'Ambrosio (L).

Di Grassi is in fine form this season having won back-to-back races in Long Beach and Paris.

Sebastien Buemi poses on the Berlin ePrix track. The Swiss, who drives for the Renault e.Dams team, trails di Grassi by 11 points in the drivers' championship.

Mahindra Racing's Nick Heidfeld relaxing at the circuit on Friday.

The German, who spent 12 seasons in Formula One, is popular with young fans trackside.

The DS Virgin Racing team doing final preparations in the pit garage. Jean-Eric Vergne will start from pole position in Saturday's race.

His teammate, Sam Bird starts from sixth on the grid.

"I had a look at the circuit this morning -- it's an amazing place which will create an absolutely unique atmosphere, Daniel Abt of ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport told the Formula E official website.

"Racing through the streets of our capital will make a dream come true," Abt continued.

Racing in the heart of Berlin —
"Berlin is great," says Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag. "We are subject to so many circumstances. The refugee crisis had the consequence that the government of Berlin placed all the refugees in Templehoff airport -- where we were racing (in 2015) -- so we had to look for a new location in the city."

Racing in the heart of Berlin —
"Luckily the Berlin city authorities were amazing to us -- we are going to race right in the heart of Berlin in Alexander Platz near Karl Marx Allee," Agag said.

Racing in the heart of Berlin —
The track also takes in Strausberger Platz.

"The fans can expect a fantastic show," Agag says.

A painting of a Trabant car bursting through a wall in post unification Berlin, August 1993. Formula E are hoping Saturday's race will be another breakthrough moment for electric cars.