FORMULA E is in mourning after Citroen Racing team principal Cyril Blais tragically passed away at the age of 43.
The Frenchman began his motorsport career as an engineer on the Formula One support ladder.
Cyril Blais has passed away at the age of 43 Credit: Getty
Tributes have flooded in for the Citroen Racing team principal Credit: Getty
But he joined Venturi, which went on to be rebranded as Maserati MSG Racing before becoming Citroen Racing, in 2022 and was promoted to team principal two years later.
Tributes have been pouring in for Blais, with his colleagues vowing to continue pushing for memorable race victories in his memory.
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Beth Paretta, who is Citroen Racing’s managing director, said: “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.
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“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 also released an emotional statement confirming Blais will be remembered at this weekend’s Tokyo E-Prix.
He said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our colleague and friend, Cyril, and our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with his family, loved ones and all those who knew him.
“Cyril’s passing is a devastating loss for his family, for MSG, Citroen Racing, and for our entire Formula E community.
Blais celebrated victory in the Mexico City E-Prix earlier this year Credit: Getty
Citroen Racing have vowed to continue pushing for wins in the Frenchman’s memory Credit: Alamy
“We have lost an extraordinary colleague, and someone many of us were proud to call a friend.
“The entire Formula E paddock is supporting one another through this incredibly difficult period.
“To honour his immense contribution to the sport, the Citroen 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.”
Blais earned his stripes as an engineer for Manor Motorsport in Formula Three before bagging a new role with Arden.
He rose up the ranks to become their technical director in F3 and Formula Two.
But Blais then took on a new challenge in Formula E with Mahindra in 2019.
He spent close to three years as a race engineer before reuniting with Maximilian Guenther, who he had worked with in F2, in the MSG operation that ran Venturi.
Citroen Racing won two races during Blais’ time as team principal, including the Mexico City E-Prix earlier this year.
