DS Penske was up to the challenge

Jean-Eric Vergne and Max Guenther set a powerful tempo within the second spherical of the Components E World Championship in Mexico Metropolis. Nonetheless, simply as a podium end appeared inside their grasp, a late-race security automobile intervention disrupted their plans.

Mexico was internet hosting a Components E race for the ninth time, nevertheless it was a primary for the Gen3 EVO electrical single-seaters.

The spectators turned out in pressure, bringing their legendary good humour and creating a novel ambiance. This ambiance of pleasure galvanised the Franco-American DS Penske crew, which was decided to bounce again after a less-than-expected efficiency in Brazil final December.

“After the irritating race in Sao Paulo, the place we might have been aiming for some excellent outcomes, we have been decided to attain some vital factors in Mexico Metropolis,” mentioned Eugenio Franzetti, Director of DS Efficiency.

“This weekend, our beginning positions on the second and third rows gave us hope of a superb end result. Even when race circumstances thwarted our plans, we’re glad with the factors we collected, that are synonymous with consistency and reliability. I am satisfied that our efforts will bear extra fruit within the coming races.”

Stable performances regardless of unexpected circumstances

The primary check session, historically devoted to cleansing up the trajectories and observing the rivals, gave each DS Penske drivers the chance to check the 300 kW and 350 kW modes of their single-seaters.

On Saturday morning, the German driver broke into the highest 10 within the second observe session, earlier than the 2 drivers moved into Group B, the place Guenther set the quickest time.

Vergne simply missed out on the highest 4, ending simply 0.03s behind Antonio Felix Da Costa’s Porsche, however was granted a reprieve when Nick Cassidy’s (Jaguar) lap was invalidated.

The DS Penske team-mates confronted one another within the quarter-final with Vergne dominating, solely to be knocked out by Da Costa within the following stage.

A promising race disrupted by the protection automobile

Ranging from third and sixth positions, Vergne and Guenther confirmed nice tactical mastery.

Because of the Assault mode, which prompts 350 kW of energy and four-wheel drive, the DS Penske vehicles have been properly positioned to attain a superb end result. Nonetheless, the technique for activating Assault mode was affected by two interventions by the protection automobile.

Whereas Vergne and Guenther have been nonetheless in assault mode for six minutes with 10 laps to go, an incident involving David Beckmann (Cupra Kiro) led to the primary neutralisation of the race.

Caught behind the protection automobile, they have been unable to take advantage of their additional energy because the clock ticked away. Regardless of a late-race comeback try, a second security automobile intervention, attributable to Mitch Evans’ Jaguar coming to a halt, sealed their destiny.

Ultimately, the 2 drivers completed in fifth and sixth positions, revealing the potential of their single-seaters, but in addition their frustration within the face of exterior occasions.

On February 14 and 15, Components E heads to Saudi Arabia for a brand-new circuit in Jeddah. DS Penske, which regularly performs properly in unfamiliar contexts, hopes to make the most of this configuration to focus on its potential.