Why a 'Verstappen dominance' in Formula E is unlikely
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- Ludo van Denderen
It is quite unique: when the lights go green for the Bahrain Grand Prix in March, the exact same 20 F1 drivers (in the same teams) will start the race as they also started the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the end of 2023. Things are different in Formula E: there were driver changes. Unlike F1, there is one rookie in the FE field. However, that is also a small number in comparison to previous examples.
Jehan Daruvala comes over from MP Motorsport in Formula 2, the only youngster to get a new chance in an FIA single-seater world championship next season. In any case, the Indian driver is following in the footsteps of his new teammate Max Günther at Maserati, who himself came straight from Formula 2 into Formula E. He can give Daruvala advice like no other on what to expect, starting Saturday at the E-Prix of Mexico.
There is no such thing as a Verstappen in Formula E
The most important lesson is undoubtedly going to be that in Formula E, anything is possible. The balance of power changes with every race; there has never been a dominance like Max Verstappen's in Formula 1. It is unlikely that there will be: "As everyone knows, Formula E is an extremely high level of racing, in all aspects," the German told GPblog.
"If you look at the teams, the brands and the drivers competing, to be at the very front in Formula E everything needs to be aligned on the day. If one single detail doesn't fit, then it's very tough to be up there, almost impossible, I would say. That's why usually you don't see people winning so many races in a row. The level is so extremely high.
"You've got these street circuits and cars that are super challenging to drive. For me, it [Formula E] is the biggest challenge I've ever felt in racing, and I'm enjoying this so much because you can really make a difference here, and there are lots of things to learn already."
Maserati wants to compete for prizes
Maserati won one E-Prix (in Jakarta) in 2023. More was hoped for and expected last season. In 2024, things must be a lot better, or so the hope is. But can the Porsche and Jaguar-powered competitors can be beaten? "That is definitely what we target for next season," Günther said. "I think our second half was good and we know that for sure the main opposition will most likely be Jaguar and Porsche, as they were last year."
"In the end, I feel with the base we have, with the ideas we have as well, what to work on, what to improve… our ambition is to fight against them. Basically, just do the best possible job from our side every weekend that we can do, and then we will see where we will end up against them," said the German Maserati driver.