Citroen team principal Cyril Blais dies at 43

Citroen Racing team principal Cyril Blais has died at 43, the team, its operator Monaco Sports Group, and Formula E have announced in a joint statement.

No cause of death was given in the statement, with the parties saying “no further comments will be shared out of respect for the family's privacy and wishes.”

"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.”

Blais joined the team in 2022 after a stint as race engineer at Mahindra, which followed spells in Formula 3 and Formula 2 with Manor and Arden, and took over the team principal role of what was then the Maserati MSG team in 2023.

He remained in the role as the Monaco Sports Group team assumed Citroen Racing identity this season and led the brand to its first open-wheel racing victory in Mexico City as Nick Cassidy triumphed. At Maserati and with Blais as its leader, the team also won the first Tokyo E-Prix in 2024 with Maximilian Guenther and won again at the same location last year with Stoffel Vandoorne, who capitalized on an early pit stop to cycle to the front after a red flag.

"We are all so saddened to lose Cyril. Many of the team have known and worked with him for several years,” said Beth Paretta, Managing Director of Citroën Racing Formula E Team. “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 honor 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.”

Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën and Olivier Jansonnie, SVP of Stellantis Motorsport, added: “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Cyril Blais, Team Principal of MSG, Citroën Racing’s partner in Formula E. This loss is particularly painful for us, as Cyril played a major role in our Formula E program from the very beginning of our collaboration between MSG and Citroën Racing.

“During this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all the colleagues at MSG, Stellantis Motorsport, and Citroën who had the privilege of working alongside him.”