The Mexico City E-Prix was filled with chaos, surprises, and strong performances. When the DS PENSKE team headed out to the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit for the race, expectations were high, as the E-TENSE FE25 cars had shown strong pace from free practice.
In Qualifying, Taylor Barnard delivered a brilliant performance, setting the fastest lap before it was deleted for track limits. Nevertheless, he advanced to the final of the Duels and was to start the E-Prix from second place. The chaotic race saw the 21-year-old finish in fourth place, just off the podium, and 1.4 seconds behind the winner. Barnard cinched his first points of the season and his first points with the DS PENSKE team.
The Brit reflected on the Mexico City weekend stating:
“Overall, it was a much more positive weekend than in Brazil. Qualifying went really well. A very small mistake on my part cost pole position but starting on the front row and then finding myself in the lead was obviously very pleasing. The race itself was a bit crazy, as is often the case in Formula E. There were a few moments that might have allowed me to gain one or two more positions, if we’d gauged them differently or had a bit more luck. But fourth place is still a good result and it allows both me and the team to score important points. It’s also a good foundation to prepare for the next races.”
Optimistic for Miami
DS PENSKE teammate Maximilian Günther, unfortunately, suffered a worse weekend than Barnard. While the pace was quick from free practice on, Qualifying saw him miss out on the Duels. Günther ended up starting the race from ninth on the grid.
Luck was not on his side as Lap 25 saw Günther collide with António Félix da Costa and Jean-Éric Vergne. While the DS driver was able to continue after the collision, unlike da Costa who retired, he still tumbled down the order. The German driver had to settle for a twelfth-place finish as the E-Prix concluded. Despite the disappointing end to the race in Mexico City, Günther remains hopeful for Miami, viewing the competitive pace as a positive.
“Honestly, it was a really encouraging weekend. We were competitive from free practice and I immediately had a very good feeling in the car. I didn’t quite manage to get the tyres into the right operating window in qualifying and narrowly missed out on the Duels, but ninth on the grid was still a decent start position. The race itself got off to a great start. I was able to make up several places while still managing energy effectively; we were definitely in a situation that would have allowed us to fight for a very strong result at the end of the race.
“Then I was hit from behind while just driving normally through a corner. I was spun around and lost more than 10 places. I fought hard right until the end, but could do no better than 12th at the finish. Nonetheless, I leave Mexico with a smile on my face because the performance of the car and the enjoyment I felt driving it give me a lot of optimism for what comes next. I can’t wait to get to Miami!”
