Maximilian Günther made headlines with his remarkable victory at the Jeddah E-Prix. He secured a perfect weekend with pole position, fastest lap, and the race win.
Maximilian Günther speaks to LWOS
After his impressive comeback in race one, Günther shared his thoughts to Last Word on Sport. He offered insights into his race strategy, the challenges of the season, and his expectations for the future.
Günther Overcoming the Pit Boost Phase Challenge
Günther’s race has been the protagonist of his dramatic comeback after losing the lead during the pit boost phase. After dropping to 9th position, the win was far from his hands.
As the drivers entered the pit stop window, the pit boost created an element of unpredictability. No one could have predicted how the race would unfold.
The German driver, who had been leading the race, fell to P9 after the pit stop phase, and at that point, many believed the victory was out of reach for him.
When asked whether he thought he could still win the race after falling behind, Günther admitted that he wasn’t entirely confident.
“To be fair, after the pit stop window when I was actually P9 in the race, I didn’t think that the win was on the cards anymore. My goal at this time was just to keep doing what I was doing.” – Maximilian Günther speaking to Last Word on Sport.
However, Günther remained calm and focused, knowing that the key to his recovery lay in managing his energy and making the right use of attack modes at critical points in the race.
“I knew I had good energy compared to others because I’d have to spend a lot more in this pit stop window than us.”
The conditions of the race, including the absence of a safety car and the track layout, played a significant role. He managed to regain positions by using attack mode activation.
This year, compared to the previous, we’ve seen how the Attack Mode is a real ally for the drivers. Even though he wasn’t sure of his ability to climb the grid, Günther’s patience and strategic decision-making allowed him to recover, ultimately securing the victory.
“At one point, I wasn’t too confident that we would finish on the podium but thanks to the power of the attack mode, taken at the right time, I was able to complete my comeback and finish on top.”
WE DID IT! 🏆⚡️
What a race. What a team. What a moment. 🖤💛
A massive congratulations to Maximilian Günther for bringing home the victory and to Jean-Éric Vergne for an incredible drive to P6—pushing through the field and proving the strength of this team. 👊 pic.twitter.com/vFehvhCStb— DS PENSKE FORMULA E TEAM (@ds_penske_fe) February 14, 2025
READ MORE: Formula E: Maximilian Günther Dominates Jeddah with a Perfect Start to the Weekend
Managing the Month-long Break before Miami
After the intense action of the past weekend, Formula E enters a month-long break before returning for the Miami E-Prix. For a driver like Günther, who thrives on the rhythm of racing, this extended break presents its own set of challenges.
“Obviously, you would love to keep the rhythm of racing. I mean, this is naturally what we are used to doing.”
However, he also recognized the opportunities that the break presents.
“There are so many things to work on always as a team. Usually, in a race season, you do all the preparation ahead of the season. Now it’s a little different.”
Despite the break, he knows competitors will use this time to improve their cars and strategies. This time will be utilised to stay ahead of the competition with constant development, whether it’s through on-track testing, data analysis, or fine-tuning the car’s setup in the simulator.
With the break before Miami, Günther acknowledged the challenges of not racing for a month, particularly as momentum builds after a win.
“When you’ve got good momentum, you always want to keep going. If it were up to me, I would love to race tomorrow in Miami.
“We will use the time really well now between Jeddah and Miami. There are a lot of things on our agenda. I will actually go next week for some days to go through many things.”
Günther’s confidence in his team and his car is palpable, especially after their strong showing in Jeddah.
“We have a good package, and I think we can have some fun this season across all tracks.”
With Miami now firmly in his sights, he is confident that the lessons learned from Jeddah can be carried over to the next race in the U.S., where the team will aim to build on their early-season form.
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Time to Analyse Data from Rookie’s Test
Günther’s victory at Jeddah has fueled his optimism for the upcoming Season 11 races.
The performance of Stellantis’ powertrain has exceeded expectations, showcasing remarkable reliability and efficiency on track. Reflecting on the early stages of the season, Günther acknowledged the solid progress of DS Penske and Stellantis, with all four cars performing well.
The break allows teams and drivers to focus on development and fine-tuning their setups, which can be a double-edged sword. While it offers time for improvement, it also requires teams to stay focused, knowing that the competition never rests.
It’s also time for the team to analyze the data collected from the Rookie tests conducted in Jeddah. Daniil Kyvat was the rookie driver for the weekend who brought great value and experience to the team.
“We’ve got this break, which means we have another block of development. You can improve your package, spend time trying things in the simulator, on track testing. It’s a great and very valid opportunity for everybody.”
READ NEXT: Formula E: Friday Glory and Saturday Disappointment for DS Penske in Jeddah
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Andreas Beil
Recording Date: 14.02.2025
