In an exclusive interview with Jake Hughes ahead and after of the Monaco E-Prix weekend, the driver reflects on his development as a driver in the category, the difficulties encountered in qualifying, and the outcome of the penalty after the race.
Learning Curve in Formula E
“On the learning curve, I think me and every single racing driver, a Formula E racer, driving the paddock is probably still at the bottom of the learning curve. I don’t think you ever stop. It’s a crazy but also a very enjoyable form of motorsport. But it’s very challenging,” Hughes shared. “It’s nothing like you ever drive in the junior categories. You arrive in Formula E, and it’s like a completely different sport so you have to learn again. So obviously, being a rookie, like me, last year was challenging. I think the qualifying was something I’ve got on, on top of really quickly. I don’t think it’s always trying to drive cars in the street tracks. But pushing a car to the limits in Formula E isn’t similar in some ways to what I did before”
Reflecting on the complexities of managing energy while pushing for speed, Hughes likened Formula E racing to a game of chess. “Everything is always a compromise, and you have to choose every straight and every lap where to spend the energy,” he explained.
Monaco’s Challenges
As Hughes prepared for the Monaco E-Prix, the specter of rain loomed, adding an extra layer of challenge to an already demanding circuit. “Driving any car in the wet around a street track, let alone Monaco, is always challenging,” he admitted.
In the end, the weather didn’t turn out to be accurate, and it only rained on Friday, leaving the track damp for the start of the free practice sessions where his teammate Sam Bird suffered a hand fracture, forcing him to prematurely withdraw from the event and be replaced by rookie Taylor Barnard. “The challenging part about Monaco is everything is on one day. So you know we have FP1 with the only one-hour gap. So you know if you have a problem in one of those sessions, or if the car’s not performing, it’s you have a short turnaround to you know, you don’t have the time to work with the engineers”
Monaco….
Didn’t get the car to fire in Qualy which put us on the back foot for the race.
An unfortunate incident, whilst in the points, resulted in damage which necessitated a pit stop and that was our race run.
Get me to Berlin ASAP Rocky 💪🏻#NEOM #McLaren #MonacoEPrix pic.twitter.com/86Jw31xzeF
— Jake Hughes (@JakeHughesRace) April 27, 2024
Qualifying day saw Hughes and the NEOM McLaren team facing unexpected difficulties, struggling to extract the maximum performance from their car. “We couldn’t get the tires to work,” Hughes lamented. “The grip was lower, and the lap times were slower than last year.”
Frustration with Penalties
Hughes found himself on the receiving end of penalties, a frustration exacerbated by what he perceived as inconsistencies in officiating. “When they see a car on the wall they do not actually look at the reason for why the car is in the wall effectively” he stated. “I was at zero penalty points on my license before this race, and now I have five for absolutely nothing.”
The race itself unfolded amidst drama and controversy, with incidents prompting questions about race control decisions. Hughes raised concerns about the lack of warnings regarding hazards on track, emphasizing the need for clearer communication from race officials.
Despite the challenges faced, Hughes remained resilient, displaying a determination to overcome obstacles and continue his pursuit of success in Formula E.
As the Monaco E-Prix drew to a close, Hughes and the NEOM McLaren team left the Principality with valuable lessons learned and a renewed focus on the challenges that lie ahead in the remainder of the season.
