Electric Cars

In a thrilling qualifying session for the World Endurance Championship's Interlagos event, Cadillac showcased exceptional performance by clinching the top two positions. This marks their second consecutive front-row sweep, highlighting their consistent prowess on the track. Alex Lynn, fresh off his pole position at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, once again proved his skill by securing the leading spot in Brazil. His teammate, Sébastien Bourdais, followed closely, ensuring a dominant display for the Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh cars from the British Jota team.

Lynn initially set the pace in the 12-minute qualifying segment before further enhancing his lead in the subsequent 10-minute Hyperpole session, reserved for the fastest ten vehicles. He ultimately refined his lap time to 1m22.570s, firmly establishing his pole position. Bourdais, with a time of 1m22.670s, finished just a tenth of a second behind, securing the second spot. The qualifying session also brought notable shifts among other teams, with Peugeot entries climbing higher up the grid and Ferrari teams experiencing a less favorable outcome compared to their usual standings.

Beyond the top two, Porsche's Julien Andlauer clinched third place with a 1m22.834s in the quickest Penske-run 963 LMDh. Malthe Jakobsen of Peugeot improved late in the session, securing fourth place with his 9X8 2024 Le Mans Hypercar. Other top contenders included Sheldon Van Der Linde in his WRT BMW, securing fifth, and Paul di Resta in the second Peugeot, finishing sixth. Notably, both factory Ferrari entries, piloted by Antonio Fuoco and Antonio Giovinazzi, did not make the Hyperpole cut, placing 14th and 17th respectively, with Robert Kubica's customer Ferrari being the only Ferrari representative in Hyperpole. The LMGT3 qualifying session also saw local talent Eduardo Barrichello, son of Formula 1 legend Rubens Barrichello, claim pole position in the Racing Spirit of Léman Aston Martin, demonstrating remarkable skill on his home turf.

The world of motorsport continually showcases the relentless pursuit of excellence and the spirit of fierce yet respectful competition. Each race, each qualifying session, is a testament to human ingenuity, precision engineering, and the unwavering dedication of athletes and their teams. The pursuit of victory pushes boundaries, inspiring innovation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, reminding us that with perseverance and passion, remarkable achievements are always within reach, both on and off the track.

The Berlin E-Prix weekend proved to be a mix of promise and frustration for the DS Penske Formula E team. Despite demonstrating significant pace and strategic acumen, the team's ambitions for top finishes were thwarted by unforeseen circumstances, notably a suspension problem affecting Jean-Éric Vergne and the challenging weather conditions that impacted qualifying and race dynamics. This outcome, though not ideal, highlighted the inherent speed of their Gen3 cars and the strategic depth within the team, leaving them poised for a stronger showing in the upcoming races.

The events at Tempelhof Airport underscored the unpredictable nature of Formula E, where external factors can swiftly alter a team's fortunes. Despite these hurdles, DS Penske's performance throughout the free practice sessions and initial qualifying rounds indicated that their machinery and drivers possessed the capability to contend at the sharp end of the grid. Their focus now shifts to leveraging these insights and maintaining their competitive edge as they head into the crucial final stages of the championship.

Unforeseen Challenges and Promising Pace

The first day of racing in Berlin's Formula E championship presented a demanding environment for the DS Penske team, despite their cars showing formidable speed. Jean-Éric Vergne, who was positioned strongly in third place, was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the race due to a suspension issue, a problem that is not unique to DS Penske but affects all vehicles in the series. Meanwhile, his teammate, Maximilian Günther, displayed remarkable consistency by spending the majority of the race within the top five before ultimately securing a sixth-place finish. This highlights the inherent speed of their Gen3 machinery and the drivers' ability to extract performance even under pressure, suggesting that their true potential on this particular race day was not fully realized.

The Berlin-Tempelhof circuit holds a special significance for DS Automobiles, having been the venue where they previously clinched both drivers' and constructors' titles in the 2019-2020 season. This historical success, combined with the positive experiences of both Günther and Vergne at the track—including past victories and podiums—contributed to the team's high expectations for the weekend. Early practice sessions reinforced this optimism, with both drivers demonstrating competitive lap times. Vergne and Günther were consistently among the fastest, particularly in the 300 kW race mode, indicating a strong baseline performance. This promising start, however, set the stage for a day where external factors would play a significant role, ultimately preventing the team from translating their raw speed into the desired results.

Navigating Inclement Weather and Strategic Race Management

The Berlin E-Prix was heavily influenced by dynamic weather patterns, which significantly altered the race weekend's progression. A torrential downpour on Saturday morning led to the cancellation of the second practice session and a 40-minute delay in qualifying. Despite a still-wet track, Maximilian Günther and Jean-Éric Vergne successfully navigated the challenging conditions during their respective qualifying groups, advancing to the quarter-finals. However, further heavy rain caused the cancellation of the planned duels, meaning the starting grid was set based on the group times. This placed the DS E-Tense FE25s in fifth and seventh positions, respectively, underscoring their strong performance capabilities even in adverse weather, and signalling a clear opportunity for a strong race outcome.

As the race commenced under improving skies but on a persistently damp surface, DS Penske's strategic flexibility came to the fore. Both drivers executed varying energy management plans, with Günther activating his first Attack Mode early on the fourth lap, while Vergne chose a more delayed approach. This nuanced strategy allowed both DS cars to climb to third and fourth positions with just ten laps remaining, indicating a well-executed plan that effectively utilized their car's capabilities and managed energy consumption. While Günther maintained his strong form to secure a respectable sixth place amidst intense competition, Vergne's race took an unfortunate turn due to a suspension component failure. This setback, despite the commonality of the part across all teams, was a significant blow, denying him a likely podium finish and reflecting a day where external and technical issues overshadowed the team's evident potential.