Ahead of qualifying at the first race of Formula E’s Season 7, Allan McNish has said group qualifying – and the balance of experience between his two drivers – mean it’s impossible to predict what results are possible. But that’s the joy of Formula E.
Speaking ahead of free practice two, Allan talked about the qualifying outlook for Lucas di Grassi and René Rast; “I think it very much depends where you stand in front of the garage, the right or the left hand side. Because it’s a bit difficult.
“Lucas is in group one. The track evolution’s big here, so I think it’s going to be very tough for him to be in a position to think about results at the beginning of this race weekend. René is in group three, which is much better but René, on the other side of it, doesn’t necessarily have that depth of experience, especially here, because he’s only done whatever laps we did yesterday. “
After Audi’s worst-ever finish to a season last year, coming sixth in the teams’ standings, Allan said there was plenty to be optimistic about, heading into their final year in Formula E. “We’ve got definitely a development on the car, we’ve got, I think, two strong drivers pushing each other really well.
“The team’s strengthened a little bit and working well together, we hope to come out with a good haul of points but I’m very aware that you could be very easily in a situation in Lucas’ case where you’re right at the back on day one and then you’ve got the opportunity on day two because then it’s on championship order – this is referring to the championship of last year, not to where we are today, the way tomorrow does.
“Last year, well, it wasn’t a great season by a long way. However, we still came out with a podium and a fastest lap on our side and EVR had a victory with Sam Bird. So, you know, we can do it. But right now it’s a bit like the lottery, you know, I’m not sure which way it’s going to go.”
That might seem obviously frustrating, as a team principal, to go into a weekend facing so much uncertainty despite manufacturer resources and preapration. Allan disagreed; “It’s one of the great things. It’s one of the things I like, is that you actually have to race Formula E.
“Normally, say with Formula One you would have been able to predict which one or most sports you could predict what it’s going to be. But just with the variables, like in some respects with it, because of variables we don’t control, because we’ve got to do all of this.
“But then it’s thrown out by the fact that the circuit evolution from one to group three could be four or five tenths of a second. And then you’re in that position, but that’s what it is. And it’s the same for everyone.”
Nevertheless, he believes consistency and ability rise to the front over the course of a year of racing, “Over a season, I’m a big believer that the law of averages wins out, so if you deliver on your bad, your difficult days as well as your good days, then you’ll be there fighting in the end. And I think we’ll be fighting there at the end.”
Audi’s drivers start qualifiying for the Diriyah E-Prix in group one (Lucas di Grassi) and group three (René Rast) – read more about Formula E’s race day format here or other teams and drivers here.
