Sebastien Buemi addresses possible Formula E goodbye as key discussions ongoing

Sébastien Buemi has addressed the possibility of having to say goodbye to Formula E at the end of the season, with conversations ongoing with Envision regarding clashes with the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Formula E's 2027 calendar was announced last week and features two clashes with the WEC, where Buemi has competed for Toyota since 2012. Formula E's races in Monaco and Shanghai clash with WEC rounds at Spa-Francorchamps and São Paulo, but the issue is greater than that.

While only two of Formula E's 13 events clash, both are double-headers, meaning Buemi could miss four E-Prix if he were to pursue a dual programme and compete in all WEC events.

Missing four rounds is almost a championship write-off, with Envision having clauses in Buemi's multi-year contract that allow the team to look elsewhere should the Season 2 champion be unable to skip WEC races.

For Buemi, one of the few remaining drivers to have competed in the all-electric series since its inception, it is a difficult and unwanted situation, with him eager to remain in Formula E.

Discussing whether his chances of again doing a dual programme look promising, Buemi told RacingNews365 during an interview: "You have to ask Sylvain [Filippi], but, first of all, we've often seen small changes to the calendar in the past. 

"So, even though I guess it's unlikely to change, I still have hope that somehow, maybe, something will change. We'll see. I think it's an open discussion with the team. I know it sounds like a lot of races, but there are also a lot of races in the championship next year - 21. 

"To be honest, as I was saying in Sanya, I'm going to try hard to be on the grid next year, try very hard, but ultimately, I guess it's going to be out of my hands."

Decision not down to Buemi

Despite being a customer team driver, Buemi has tested Jaguar's Gen4 machinery. It was announced ahead of this weekend's Shanghai double-header that Envision will continue as a customer of the British manufacturer.

Continuing in Formula E with Envision is what Buemi wants to do, although he recognises that whether it happens is outside of his control.

No matter what happens, the veteran recognises how fortunate he is to be racing in both Formula E and the WEC while also supporting Red Bull as an F1 simulator driver.

Asked if he would feel ready to leave Formula E, Buemi explained: "I don't think you ever really feel ready, to be honest. At some point, you may be forced to [leave]. 

"I think I've had quite a few good races this year. Of course, I'm not happy; I want more than that. I don't think it's good enough, but yeah, I guess it's not going to be down to me. It's not going to be down to being ready or not. 

"Ultimately, again, I feel like I'm in a very fortunate situation. Obviously, I was at Red Bull again last week in the simulator, and I'm with Toyota, obviously, racing at Le Mans and being able to race here [in Formula E]. 

"A lot of people would do a lot of things to be in my position, but unfortunately, it may not be my call. That's the sad thing."