The second round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Mexico E-Prix, in Mexico City marked an important juncture for the DS PENSKE Formula E Team. After the initial struggles in São Paulo, the team sought redemption and a fresh opportunity to demonstrate their potential.
While podium ambitions went unfulfilled, the weekend provided key insights and underscored both progress and areas requiring further development.
DS PENSKE Eyed Redemption at Mexico E-Prix
São Paulo was a wake-up call for DS PENSKE. It brought a series of challenges for DS Penske.
Maximilian Günther demonstrated strong speed during the qualifying sessions, securing a good position. However, he faced significant struggles during the race itself, ultimately preventing him from finishing as high as the team had hoped. Despite the tough result, Günther’s performance in qualifying showed promising potential for future races.
His teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne, had a slightly less favourable outing but remains focused on improving as the team seeks to bounce back at the upcoming Mexico E-Prix. This underperformance in São Paulo has motivated the team to refocus their strategy for the next round, aiming to fine-tune their car’s setup and their energy management.
“Every race teaches us something. We’ve worked hard to improve, and we’re ready to give everything in Mexico.” – Maximilian Günther before the race in Mexico.
Vergne echoed the sentiments, focusing on preparation and the unique allure of the Mexico circuit:
“The atmosphere here is electric, with incredible fans and a challenging track. It’s the perfect place to bounce back.” – Jean-Eric Vergne.
However, the underwhelming results from the first round demanded meticulous attention to detail and adaptability.
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Performance Highlights from Mexico City
Both drivers excelled in qualifying, with Günther and Vergne securing sixth and third grid positions, respectively. Vergne advanced to the semi-finals during the duels, missing out on the final by a mere 184 milliseconds.
As the race commenced, DS PENSKE’s strategic approach emphasized energy conservation. Günther and Vergne were poised to leverage Attack Mode in the latter stages of the race, hoping to exploit their competitive edge. However, two ill-timed Safety Cars disrupted their plans.
As Eugenio Franzetti, DS Performance Director, explained:
“The Safety Car came out at the worst moment for us, just when our drivers activated Attack Mode. This was an unfortunate setback that likely cost us a podium.” – Eugenio Franzetti.
Despite these obstacles, Vergne and Günther finished fifth and sixth, collecting 18 valuable points for the team. While the lack of podium finishes was disappointing, the outcome demonstrated resilience and marked an improvement compared to the prior round.
Driver Insights: Building Momentum
The French driver reflected on the positives while acknowledging the frustration:
“It’s the second race in a row where a Safety Car has hindered our Attack Mode strategy. Still, we scored points, had a competitive car, and demonstrated teamwork. This gives me confidence moving forward.” – Jean-Eric Vergne.
Maximilian Günther, still adapting to his new team, emphasized growth:
“Sixth place and two cars in the top six is a solid result. My relationship with the team feels natural, and I’m becoming more comfortable in the car. Now, the goal is to refine and improve further.” – Maximilian Günther.
The synergy between Günther’s calculated, methodical style and Vergne’s experience-driven aggression offers a balanced dynamic that bodes well for future races. Deputy Team Principal Phil Charles highlighted this balance:
“Jean-Éric and Maximilian complement each other perfectly. Their shared commitment to success is pushing the entire team forward.” – Phil Charles.
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Stellantis and Intel Automotive: Onto the future
Meanwhile, the Mexico E-Prix weekend coincided with a significant announcement for the DS PENSKE team: Stellantis unveiled an expanded partnership with Intel Automotive, highlighting innovation amid ongoing financial challenges.
These collaborations are aimed at improving the performance of its Formula E cars, further enhancing the brand’s innovation in electric technology.
One of the key areas of improvement lies in the development of a new inverter system. This device plays an important role in managing the flow of power within the car. Additionally, it ensures that it’s used efficiently during a race.
In simple terms, it helps control the car’s energy and allows it to recover energy when braking. In racing, small gains in energy efficiency can lead to big advantages, so this partnership with Intel aims to optimize these aspects.
By teaming up with Intel, Stellantis is tapping into their expertise in high-performance technology to create better-performing race cars.
Despite facing financial challenges, Stellantis continues to maintain a prominent role in the Formula E championship. It solidifies their position as a major player while the company has faced difficulties, including recent financial setbacks
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