After switching from Maserati MSG Racing to DS PENSKE during the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship off-season, the 27-year-old German driver talked to us following the opening round of the 2024-2025 season.
Tell us about your move to DS PENSKE
Conversations started during season 10, and very quickly, it became clear to me that this was what I wanted for my future. Things developed naturally and I’m very pleased to have made this new step. Everything about the project appealed to me: the leadership, the vision of the future… Jay Penske, Phil Charles, and Stellantis Motorsport form an inspiring ensemble with clear goals, no compromise when it comes to performance and guided by the desire to perform well, and that’s absolutely my kind of mindset. My goal is to become Formula E world champion and, I get the feeling it’s possible with this team. That’s why it was an easy decision for me to make.
You already knew members of the Stellantis Motorsport team. Did that make it easier to settle into the team?
I enjoyed my two years at Maserati, we achieved a number of things together and I’m glad to remain in the Stellantis family. The majority of the faces are new to me, but I still knew a few members of the development team and that obviously made the switch easier. There are a few others, maybe six or seven, that I knew from the start of my career at Jay’s previous outfit, Dragon. So it’s nice to close the loop in some respects and be back racing together.
How do you assess your performance last season?
Season 10 was very good for us, especially in the early stages when we scored points in each race and were consistently in contention for the leading places. Tokyo was obviously the highlight of our season when we won the race. The second part of the year was more difficult. Unfortunately, we were just a bit short on overall performance. That’s the way it goes sometimes. The competition is so tight in Formula E that it’s easy to drop off the pace a little. I feel like I got the most out of the package we had so I'm pleased with that.
Season 11 sees the introduction of the GEN3 Evo car. What do you think of it so far?
To be honest, all the drivers love this new car. It is better on all fronts. The tyres have more grip in qualifying and, it’s nice to have to manage them in the race. It adds another variable to the mix. The car itself is also more beautiful, and the aerodynamics are better. The biggest change is obviously that it is now a four-wheel-drive car and, especially in Attack Mode, it’s very impressive. The acceleration is stunning. You feel like you’re driving a rocket, and it’s truly fantastic for us, as drivers. There’s also going to be rapid charging with the new Pit Boost technology, and wherever it is implemented, it’s going to play a key role in race strategy. We’re all excited by these new challenges, and we have been trying to prepare for the changes as best we can. The races are going to be spectacular, that’s for sure!
What challenges arise from the introduction of this new car?
From a driving point of view, you have to know how to switch from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive; it’s not something you have in any other category of racing. In Formula E, from one lap to the next, you have to adapt your driving style according to the mode you are using at the time. In São Paulo, we saw that this can play a vital role in strategy. It’s a lot easier to overtake now and that’s a positive addition. I think Pit Boost will be the same: it adds another strategic component to the mix and it’s also good for the cars to showcase the technological developments that have been made in terms of rapid charging. It’s very important for all the manufacturers involved in the championship.
How did the opening race of Season 11 go in São Paulo?
It was a very good start for us. We are very happy with the performance. We qualified in the top four and 99% of the race went really well. We were fighting at the front throughout most of the race and with just a few laps to go, we were exactly where we wanted to be, in contention for a podium spot. Unfortunately, the collision at turn 5 ended our race, but that’s how it goes sometimes in racing. The result doesn't do justice to the level we had during the weekend, but it doesn't matter too much. We’re just going to focus on our performance. We’ll have another chance in Mexico, and I feel confident we can bounce back.
What are your plans in the meantime?
I’ve been spending a lot of time with the team in the UK on the simulator. Obviously, we are going to analyse São Paulo and we clearly have many things on our plate with Mexico up next. We have to keep developing, fine-tuning the details, to try and improve our competitiveness.
Is Mexico an event that might suit you?
I don't think there are any tracks where we will be out of contention. In Formula E, it all comes down to the minor details. Mexico is a great challenge, a perfect mix of fast turns and slow-paced corners. It is possible to overtake, the altitude will also be a factor for the tyres and everything that is temperature-related. But it’s always special to race there in terms of the atmosphere, especially on the Foro Sol. I’m really looking forward to it.
DS PENKSE is officially supported by TotalEnergies, which supplies you with tailored lubricants and greases. In such a competitive environment, how important is that?
It’s extremely important to have a high-quality partner like TotalEnergies, with its professionalism and expertise. In Formula E, we are constantly pushing the boundaries as regards technology and, obviously, one of the important points is the lubricants that we use. TotalEnergies is a longstanding partner of Stellantis Motorsport and DS in Formula E and we are really lucky to have them by our side, supporting us.
What do you prefer most in Formula E?
Formula E is great on several levels: the championship, as regards the ethos underpinning it, is very modern with a constant desire to innovate. The standard of the competition is also unrivalled. There are several leading manufacturers and drivers, with a matter of tenths of a second between them. And the cars are fantastic to drive. Formula E is a global innovation, and although it can be very complex, as drivers we play our part. We try to make a difference both in qualifying and in the races. There are so many things to think about, whether it’s the strategy, energy management, etc.
What is it like to drive a 350kW four-wheel drive race car weighing just 860kg and fitted with standard tyres right on the limit in qualifying on a city centre circuit?
It’s just an incredible feeling! We all love the city centre circuits. You have to be so precise and use every inch of the road. The Formula E race cars are designed for these conditions and with the four-wheel drive, the balance and the acceleration of the car are really nice to drive. Obviously, qualifying is always one of the highlights of the weekend – there’s always plenty of adrenaline pumping through your body.
What has been the best moment – so far – of your career in Formula E?
I have had a lot of special moments in Formula E, but if I had to choose one, I’d say my first win in Santiago in 2020. It was my first race win since I turned professional, and I’ll never forget it because it’s what I had always been working towards. It was a dream come true.
What is your favourite track across all the seasons?
Oh, that’s easy. It has to be Monaco. For the history and the beauty of the track. Monaco is inextricably linked to racing, and every driver wants to win in the streets of the Principality. Moreover, it has been my home event for the last few years.
