Key Takeaways
- The 11th season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicked off with a dramatic race in São Paulo.
- Maximilian Günther finished 11th after a front wing incident, while Jean-Éric Vergne secured 9th place, earning DS Automobiles their first two points of the season.
- Despite the results, the team remains optimistic about their performance heading into the next race in Mexico City on January 11.
Season Opener in São Paulo
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicked off its 11th season this Saturday with an exciting and unpredictable race in São Paulo. The event was marked by multiple incidents, including two red flags which disrupted the competition.
Maximilian Günther, racing his first E-Prix for DS Automobiles, had shown strong potential early in the race. He qualified fourth, and along with his teammate Jean-Éric Vergne, who qualified eighth, they made promising starts, reaching third and fifth place shortly after the race commenced. However, an early incident brought out the safety car.
The race dynamics shifted significantly with the introduction of “Attack Modes,” offering drivers more power and influencing position changes throughout the race. At one point, Günther was running in a competitive third place when a technical problem involving a rival triggered a red flag.
Following the restart, Günther was poised for a podium finish but sadly collided with a wall, damaging his front wing. A required pit stop to replace it further dropped him to 14th position, where he ultimately finished in 11th place. Vergne, hindered by timing issues with his own “Attack Mode,” managed to recover to secure a ninth-place finish, granting DS Automobiles their first two points this season.
Despite finishing outside the points, both drivers expressed frustration yet remained hopeful about their performance. DS Performance Director Eugenio Franzetti noted that the results did not accurately reflect the team’s capabilities, emphasizing their competitive qualifying and race pace. He acknowledged the unfortunate series of events that impacted their race.
Jean-Éric Vergne highlighted the conflicting emotions of the race, noting the potential benefits of the Attack Mode that he couldn’t capitalize on due to the timing of the red flag. He pointed out some irregularities among competitors but maintained confidence in their car’s performance.
Maximilian Günther echoed similar sentiments, expressing disappointment but also recognition of the team’s strong pace. He emphasized the need to stay positive and continue focusing on their performance moving forward.
The DS PENSKE team looks ahead to the next challenge in Mexico City on January 11, eager to convert their promising capabilities into results. Overall, the São Paulo race showcased resilience and potential, setting a hopeful tone for the season.
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