Andy Jaye hosted ITV’s Formula E programme for the Berlin round. He believes that the manner in which the sport includes fans, away from the track as much as on it, is a winning strategy to building a far-reaching fanbase for the future.

“Berlin was terrific. There were some big moments and talking points and a lot of fantastic racing.

The track was like a deluxe karting circuit, with 17 amazing turns. I thought there might be some real battery management issues but it turned into quite a tactical race. A few drivers managed to make it through the pack and there weren’t any of the big mistakes I’d expected to see.

The drivers are all very bright. It’s pretty incredible to have a field full of racers with such different backgrounds but all underscored with great pedigree. You don’t need to explain who any of these guys are.

The ITV team oozes professionalism. Alex Brundle is great fun on air. You just wind him up and let him go. Marc Priestly is such an insightful man. He’s been there, done it, got the t-shirt – and then he can eloquently tell you how to make the t-shirt!

In the hour’s build up to ITV’s live race coverage, Trulli was the story of Berlin. He’s the one lap master, so it was no real surprise to finally see him right at the top after qualifying. It was a surprise, though, to see what happened in the race. It was a real shame to see him drop from first to last; I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen before to a driver of his calibre.

Piquet delivered a sublime race, particularly when the indications from quali indicated that he was in trouble. It looked like he was going to leave Germany having lost to his countryman but, by 9pm, he was very much the victor.

ABT aftermath

We had the highlights show wrapped and sorted for Sunday morning. Then the di Grassi news dropped: disqualified for running a modified front wing and fairings. That changed everything. I was stunned. I had to dash back to the studio to rerecord segments. We had to drop a fair amount of analysis, the stuff that centred on di Grassi’s winning ways.

The reaction has been divided. Some have said that the modifications wouldn’t have made any difference to the race performance; others have pointed out that breaking the rules is technically cheating. The whole point of Formula E’s first season is to have equally-matched teams. The only edge you’re meant to have is Fanboost, set up secrets and racing lines. Modifying your equipment is not cool.

However, if nothing else, this incident has really brought out the character of Lucas di Grassi, who has declared openly that he intends to beat Piquet and Buemi on track. We’ve suddenly seen how much this new racing series means to the drivers. A lot of these guys race in other high profile series and you wonder how invested each driver really is in this formula. But this war of words and the body language shows that the drivers love it, that they’re desperate to win.

Accessing a futureproof fanbase

I’ve been hosting Channel 4’s racing coverage for years. I started off doing things like Formula Ford, British Formula 3, Ginetta, Caterham – you name it, if it’s been on Channel 4, I’ve been at a race track talking about it.

The racing in Formula E has been top drawer so far. It’s really enjoyable. That’s the best testament to the new sport: you don’t have to wave the “green flag” every 10 seconds. You can stay with it because the racing is good – the fact that you can have a clear conscience while watching it, because of its environmental purpose, is even better.

One of the things I really like about Formula E is the access. The whole ethos of Formula E is access, no restrictions, from Fanboost through to the DJs at trackside.

I have a privileged position as a broadcaster that gives me access to teams and drivers in a way that the public doesn’t get. But in Formula E, you get this feeling that it’s open to all. The racing takes place on track but there’s so much more drama away from what happens between lights to flag, too. I love that Formula E teams, drivers and organisers are embracing it.

I also host Speedway for Eurosport. Those fans are incredibly dedicated and loyal and up for their sport. You can see all their activity online as well as coming to the events. The speed, the dirt, the danger, the proximity of fans to the action, the spit and sawdust feeling: if you go, you can’t help but be bitten by the bug.

I know Speedway is two wheels and not four, but I get the feeling the Formula E is nurturing that sort of future fanbase, who will support the series forever. Formula E isn’t targeting old men with money; they’re targeting kids with tablets and smart phones.

Roll on Moscow

I’m really looking forward to deputising again for Jennie Gow for the Moscow programme because, while London will undoubtedly be the big decider, Moscow could change the face of everything. We’ll see who can handle the pressure up there at the top – and who can’t.

The track looks pretty crazy. There are major roads through the centre of the city that will need to be closed to accommodate the circuit. It’ll have all the drama we’ve seen from the racing, as well as the fantastic backdrop of the Kremlin. Incredible. It’s a real coup.

Who to watch out for? Justin Wilson will be new into the Andretti team. He’s a fun racer and he’s the kind of guy who can just jump into any car and drive it fast. Antonio Garcia returns for NextEV TCR, so it will be intriguing to see how he fares.

There are clearly three drivers who are pulling away from the pack when it comes to the drivers’ championship. In all likelihood they’re the ones who will show up again: Piquet, di Grassi and Buemi.

I’d like to see a different podium though. Sam Bird is looking sharp. He’s had moments but he’ll feel like he wants to expand on that. D’Ambrosio benefited last time out from di Grassi’s exclusion but he drove a strong second, so I think we could see a good performance from him.

Daniel Abt has also had some great moments, including a podium, and he’s signed a new deal. When you’re driving in the shadow of your dad – whether that’s because he’s a great driver or a famous pundit or a team owner – you want to show that you are more than what your dad did.

If that was the podium in Moscow – Bird, Abt, d’Ambrosio – imagine how that would impact on London. Let’s call that the dream podium, the one that would shake up the whole championship and set up a grandstand finale to the first season. I can’t wait.”

Follow Andy on Twitter: @andyjaye