This Saturday in February on the shores of the Red Sea, the heat was stifling and the stakes were high for DS Penske. After encouraging free practice sessions, the team saw its hopes collide with a more complex reality during qualifying and the race. The duel with the other teams proved to be a true tactical puzzle.
Promising Free Practice
Under an unrelenting sun, the third free practice session took place in challenging conditions, but both DS E-TENSE FE25 managed to hold their own. Indeed, they remained in the heart of the top 10, confirming the good form seen the day before. The data collected in the 300 kW configuration, the mode used during qualifying, proved to be particularly encouraging. Taylor Barnard even recorded the second fastest time overall in this configuration, hinting at enticing prospects.
Qualifying: A Tactical Challenge
Two hours later, still under this scorching heat, the DS Penske drivers found themselves in the same qualifying group. This time, the session opening was marked by a different context: the track had evolved less, and the “green track” factor was mitigated by the short ten-minute format. In this delicate exercise, Maximilian Günther brilliantly managed to stand out.
Achieving the second fastest time in his group, he managed to qualify for the duels. Unfortunately, he had to face the reigning world champion, Oliver Rowland, and despite a strong performance, he was beaten by the Nissan driver. Günther still secured a sixth place on the grid, demonstrating good potential. “Rowland was faster, but it was a good lap. The car is quick and I have a good feeling,” he stated after his qualifying. On his side, Taylor Barnard did not have the same success and settled for 17th position, hoping for a comeback during the race.
A Race Without Pitboost, But Rich in Calculations
Maximilian Günther (DS Penske)
The race’s dynamics significantly differed from the previous day. Deprived of Pitboost, this second round relied solely on energy management and the optimal use of Attack Mode. Additionally, the distance was reduced by one lap by the race direction, signaling a sustained pace. After an incident-free start, Max Günther opted for a cautious approach, deliberately staying in the middle of the pack to preserve his energy reserves. Taylor Barnard, for his part, refined his strategy based on the race events, staying in constant contact with his track engineer.
Leader Changes and Tactical Comebacks
At the front, leader changes multiplied as the pack adopted a more measured attitude. The first Attack Modes were triggered around the 10th lap, but both DS Penske drivers chose to activate theirs simultaneously, initiating a coordinated comeback in the second half of the race. Although the extra power and temporary all-wheel drive improved their performance, traffic limited immediate gains. Barnard still managed to break into the top 10, while Günther remained on the cusp of points.
Final Strategy and Disappointing Results
With eight laps remaining, both drivers waited until the last moment to activate their second Attack Mode, maximizing their performance at the end of the race. This strategy paid off for Barnard, who made a great comeback from 17th to 10th place, earning a well-deserved point. In contrast, Max Günther narrowly missed finishing in the top 10, ultimately placing 11th, just behind his teammate.
Coming Up: A New Challenge in Jarama
The next round of the Formula E World Championship will take place on March 21 at the Jarama circuit near Madrid (Spain). The DS Penske team hopes to learn lessons from this challenging race to approach this new challenge with determination. Expectations are high, and the drivers must now prove that their qualifying performances can translate into concrete results in the race.
