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Maserati MSG Racing Climbs 13 Spots To Finish Eighth In Portland E-Prix
Maserati MSG Racing’s Maximilian Günther made a remarkable comeback at the 2024 Portland E-Prix, advancing 13 positions to secure eighth place in a challenging race in Oregon. Despite a tough start on Saturday, the 26-year-old showed resilience on Sunday after struggling during practice and qualifying sessions.
Maximilian Günther started from Group A but was positioned at the back of the grid in 21st place. His teammate, Jehan Daruvala, qualified ninth, narrowly missing out on the duels by just 0.003 seconds. Both drivers initially held their positions before strategically dropping back to conserve energy for later stages of the race.
Their strategy paid off as they began to climb through the pack with efficient energy use. By lap 15, Max had entered the top 10 by overtaking Edoardo Mortara and engaged in a multi-lap battle with Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato for eighth place. Unfortunately, Lucas di Grassi pushed Max wide, causing him to slip to 10th before a Safety Car neutralised the race on lap 18 due to debris on track.
This pause reduced energy-saving targets across the field, minimising Max and Jehan’s earlier strategic advantage. However, Max managed to overtake Fenestraz again and passed Di Grassi on the final lap to finish eighth. Jehan also overtook Di Grassi, finishing in 12th place.
Maximilian Günther reflected on his performance: "This weekend has been very tough for us, so recovering to the top ten after starting from the last row of the grid is an achievement. Without the Safety Car, I think even more could have been possible but I’m still very happy." He acknowledged that there are still questions about their performance but expressed optimism about upcoming races.
Jehan Daruvala shared his thoughts: "Today’s race didn’t go as I had hoped. After a good performance in Qualifying, I tried to save as much energy as possible at the start, but the timing of the Safety Car lowered everyone else’s energy targets which meant that I wasn’t able to use my own advantage to full effect." He remains focused on making the most of remaining opportunities in London.
Team Insights
Cyril Blais, Deputy Team Principal of Maserati MSG Racing, commented: "Mixed emotions for the team today. With Max starting at the back, it was always going to be a difficult race but we decided to go aggressive with our strategy." He noted that despite challenges posed by the Safety Car, Max’s eighth-place finish was commendable given his starting position.
Giovanni Sgro, Head of Maserati Corse, remarked: "Obviously not an easy race. The whole weekend was more difficult than expected. We know how stressful two-race weekends can be for the drivers." He highlighted that despite difficulties, they scored points thanks to a spectacular recovery and are ready for a competitive season finale in London.
Upcoming Events
The FIA Formula E World Championship's Season 10 will conclude in London on July 20-21, 2024. The final races will determine this season's champion. Both drivers and teams are preparing intensely for this crucial event.
Maserati MSG Racing Overview
Maserati MSG Racing is one of Formula E's founding teams and joined as a manufacturer in December 2013. Since then, it has grown steadily and achieved its most successful season in 2022 by finishing second globally among teams. The Monaco-based team is known for its commitment to sustainability and diversity within motorsport.
Maserati's Automotive Excellence
Maserati produces a range of unique cars known for their distinct personality and exceptional design. Their lineup includes models like Levante SUV, Grecale SUV, GranTurismo grand tourer, and GranCabrio convertible. These vehicles feature high-quality materials and advanced technical solutions.
The brand offers hybrid powertrains for Grecale and Levante models alongside V6 petrol engines with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive options. The MC20 super sports car features Maserati's Nettuno V6 engine with F1-derived technologies.
Maserati's future plans include offering all models in full-electric versions by 2025 and transitioning entirely to electric vehicles by 2028. This aligns with their commitment to innovation and sustainability within the automotive industry.
The weekend provided valuable data not only for upcoming races but also for exploring technology transfer from track to road within Maserati’s Folgore range.
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