The death of Cyril Blais, a prominent figure in Formula E, has left a profound impact on the racing world. Blais, who passed away at the age of 43, was a highly respected team principal and engineer, known for his contributions to the careers of numerous drivers. His sudden passing has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from fellow racers, team members, and fans alike.
One of the most poignant reflections on Blais' life and legacy comes from António Félix da Costa, a Jaguar driver who has known Blais for over a decade. Da Costa describes Blais as a mentor and a friend, someone who grew up alongside him in the world of motorsport. He recalls Blais' journey from performance engineer to race engineer, and eventually to team principal, as a testament to his hard work and dedication.
"I've known Cyril since 2012," Da Costa said. "In Formula Renault 3.5, he was my performance engineer back in those days, and I've seen him go from a performance engineer to a race engineer, to a chief engineer, and now a team principal. So we kind of grew up together and kept moving up in life together, and in the same paddocks, across all these years."
The impact of Blais' passing is not limited to the Formula E paddock. Pascal Wehrlein, a Porsche driver and former Mahindra team member, also worked closely with Blais. He describes Blais as a dedicated and respected professional, someone who was always willing to go the extra mile for his drivers.
"Well, I am, and I was, incredibly sad when I heard the news," Wehrlein said. "I worked with him for over a year at Mahindra. He was my race engineer, and we stayed in contact ever since, not only in the paddock but also by phone. And yeah, it was shocking news. It was almost like I couldn't believe it."
The tributes to Blais have also extended beyond the racing community. Oliver Rowland, a reigning world champion, never worked directly with Blais but was aware of his contributions to Formula E and junior categories. He describes Blais as a "super successful" individual, someone who had a profound impact on the sport.
"It's very sad," Rowland said. "I mean, we're all on this circus together a little bit. It's a difficult one to take. I think he was well motivated, a hungry competitor that everybody respected and liked. After many years in Formula 2, Formula 3, GP3, Formula Renault 3.5 and Formula E, he had been super successful, and it's just really sad, to be honest. I think we will all miss him."
The impact of Blais' passing will be felt in the upcoming races, with tributes scheduled throughout the Tokyo E-Prix double-header. A minute's silence will be held before Saturday's race, and books of condolences have been set up in the Formula E paddock. The racing community will come together to honor Blais' memory and celebrate his contributions to the sport.
As the Formula E community mourns the loss of Cyril Blais, it is clear that his influence extended far beyond the track. His dedication to the sport and his commitment to the success of his drivers will be remembered and celebrated by all who knew him.
