Citroen Formula E team principal Cyril Blais passes away aged 43

Cyril Blais, Citroën Formula E team principal, has sadly passed away at the age of 43.

The Frenchman's death was confirmed by both Formula E and Citroën on Monday, just a handful of days before the Tokyo E-Prix, which hosts the 14th and 15th rounds of the season. Citroën will race in the Japanese capital.

Blais led the Citroën team, initially joining the outfit as Lucas di Grassi's race engineer ahead of Season 8, when it was still known as Venturi, before looking after Maximilian Günther for two campaigns as the team became Maserati.

Ahead of Season 10, Blais was promoted to chief engineer before quickly becoming deputy team principal. Not long afterwards, he was appointed team principal, a role he retained as Maserati became Citroën.

When not leading the French marque and its drivers, Nick Cassidy and Jean-Éric Vergne, Blais had been busy preparing for Gen4 behind the scenes.

"We are all so saddened to lose Cyril," said Beth Paretta, Citroën Formula e director. "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." 

 However, his motorsport career began in 2007 with Manor Motorsport as a Formula 3 race engineer before moving to Arden Motorsport in 2012.

Blais spent seven years with Arden, progressing from chief race engineer in GP3 to chief race engineer in Formula Renault 3.5. His final role with the team was as technical director of its Formula 2 and Formula 3 programmes.

In 2019, he entered the Formula E paddock, becoming a race engineer at Mahindra before moving to the Monaco-based outfit now known as Citroën. Blais was a highly respected figure in Formula E and was previously named the championship's Engineer of the Year. His passing represents a significant and devastating loss for the entire Formula E paddock.

"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," said Formula E CEO, Jeff Dodds. "Cyril's passing is 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. 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."

RacingNews365 sends its condolences to Blais' family and friends.