Cyril Blais, team principal of the Citroën Racing Formula E Team, has died. The news was confirmed in a joint statement from team operator Monaco Sports Group (MSG), Citroën, Stellantis Motorsport, the FIA and Formula E.

The championship will honour the Frenchman at this weekend’s Tokyo E-Prix, with teams and officials across the paddock uniting to remember one of the most respected figures in the all-electric series.

Blais’s rise through the Monaco-based operation was remarkable. He joined the team, then racing as Venturi, in 2022 as race engineer to Lucas di Grassi, and went on to engineer Maximilian Günther to victories in Jakarta and Tokyo during its Maserati era.

Named Formula E’s Engineer of the Year, he was promoted to chief engineer and then deputy team principal before taking overall charge ahead of Season 11. He remained at the helm as the squad became Citroën’s works entry for the 2025/26 season.

“Cyril believed so much in this team”

Beth Paretta, managing director of the Citroën Racing Formula E Team, said the squad would carry on competing in his memory.

“We are all so saddened to lose Cyril. Many of the team have known and worked with him for several years. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues throughout the paddock. Cyril believed so much in this team and we will respect his family’s wishes to honour him in the best way we can, by continuing to race in his memory with the exact dedication and passion he instilled in all of us.”

Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds described Blais’s passing as “a devastating loss for his family, for MSG, Citroën Racing, and for our entire Formula E community”.

“We have lost an extraordinary colleague, and someone many of us were proud to call a friend,” Dodds added. “The entire Formula E paddock is supporting one another through this incredibly difficult period. To honour his immense contribution to the sport, the Citroën Racing Formula E Team and the wider Formula E community will pay tribute to Cyril’s memory and incredible legacy during this weekend’s Tokyo E-Prix.”

In a joint statement, Citroën chief executive Xavier Chardon and Stellantis Motorsport senior vice president Olivier Jansonnie said the loss was “particularly painful” because Blais “played a major role in our Formula E programme from the very beginning of our collaboration between MSG and Citroën Racing”.

“During this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all the colleagues at MSG, Stellantis Motorsport, and Citroën who had the privilege of working alongside him,” they added.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the Frenchman would “be remembered for the integrity he brought to our sport”.

“He was dedicated to our sport, earning the respect and admiration of colleagues, competitors and friends across the paddock. His passion, determination and belief in his team were evident in all he did,” he said.

“On behalf of myself and the FIA, I extend heartfelt condolences to Cyril’s family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”

Everyone at EV Powered sends their condolences to Blais’s family, friends and colleagues.