Motorsport loses a leader
Formula E Community Pays Tribute to Influential Team Principal Cyril Blais, Dead at 46
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Key Points
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Cyril Blais’ Formula E career included a race‑engineer stint at Venturi for Lucas di Grassi, followed by leadership roles within Monaco Sports Group that culminated in his promotion to Team Principal in 2024 as the Maserati transition evolved into Citroën.
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Under Blais, Nick Cassidy secured what the reports describe as the team’s maiden victory at the Mexico City E-Prix, a milestone reached during a year in which the team was transitioning its identity.
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No cause of death has been disclosed publicly, with the team and family requesting privacy as they process the loss.
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Beyond the tributes from Beth Paretta and Jeff Dodds, additional condolences came from Citroën CEO Xavier Chardon and Stellantis Motorsport SVP Olivier Jansonnie, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of Blais’ work across the alliance.
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the loss as deeply saddening for the entire motorsport community, highlighting Cyril’s dedication, integrity and the void his passing leaves in the sport.
Cyril Blais, the Team Principal of Citroën Racing Formula E and head of Monaco Sports Group's operation, has died suddenly at the age of 46. The news was confirmed in a joint statement by Citroën, Stellantis, Monaco Sports Group, and Formula E, sending shockwaves through the motorsport paddock. Autosport reported that no cause of death has been disclosed, with the team and family requesting privacy.
Blais had only recently been promoted to Team Principal in 2024, stepping into the role as the team completed its identity shift from Maserati to Citroën. His sudden passing leaves a significant void in Formula E just days before the upcoming Tokyo E-Prix. According to Motorsport Week, tributes have poured in from across the sport.
A Career Built from the Ground Up in Formula E
Blais was not a newcomer to Formula E. He began his career in the championship as a race engineer at Venturi, working alongside driver Lucas di Grassi. From there, he climbed steadily through Monaco Sports Group, taking on greater leadership responsibilities with each season. Crash.net reported that his promotion to Team Principal came in 2024, as the team navigated its transition away from the Maserati brand.
The Maserati-to-Citroën shift was no small task. It required rebuilding team identity while staying competitive on track. Blais led that process with what colleagues described as deep dedication and strong integrity. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the loss was "deeply saddening for the entire motorsport community," pointing to Blais's "dedication and integrity" as defining traits.
Nick Cassidy's Mexico City Win Was a Team Milestone
Under Blais's leadership, the team achieved what Motorsport Week described as its maiden Formula E victory. Driver Nick Cassidy took the win at the Mexico City E-Prix, a breakthrough moment for the squad during a year of major change. The result proved the team could compete at the front even while rebuilding its identity from the ground up.
That victory gave the team and its new brand momentum heading into the rest of the season. It was a direct reflection of the culture Blais had worked to build — focused, driven, and resilient. His colleagues say that race win captured exactly the kind of spirit he brought to work every day.
Tributes Pour In from Formula E, FIA, and Stellantis
The response from the motorsport world was swift and emotional. Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds and Beth Paretta both offered public condolences, as did Citroën CEO Xavier Chardon and Stellantis Motorsport SVP Olivier Jansonnie. According to news.ssbcrack.com, the breadth of the tributes reflected how wide Blais's impact had spread across the Stellantis alliance and beyond.
FIA President Ben Sulayem said Blais's passing leaves a "void" in the sport. Citroën Racing and MSG both vowed to honor his memory by continuing to race with the passion he instilled. The team confirmed it will press forward to the Tokyo E-Prix, carrying Blais's legacy into every lap.
Paddock Unites Around Family as Tokyo Approaches
With the Tokyo E-Prix on the horizon, the Formula E paddock faces the emotional challenge of racing through grief. Autosport noted that no cause of death has been shared, and organizers have asked the wider community to respect the privacy of Blais's family. Teams across the grid have signaled their support for the Citroën crew during this difficult time.
Formula E has always prided itself on being a close-knit community. The response to Blais's death has reinforced that identity. Citroën Racing said the team would race on in his honor, driven by the dedication and passion he gave to every single day on the job. He was 46 years old.
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