DS Penske’s Maximilian Günther heads into the Monaco E-Prix double-header with renewed determination following a challenging outing in Miami, looking to recapture the form that saw him claim victory in Jeddah earlier this season.
Bouncing back in Monaco after Miami struggles
When asked about the challenges he faced in Miami compared to his earlier success, Günther was candid. “Miami for us as a team [DS Penske] has been a struggle,” he acknowledged, speaking exclusively to Pit Debrief ahead of the Monaco E-Prix. “We didn’t have the pace that we normally have and that we had in the previous races at the start of the year.”
The German driver’s Miami weekend ended prematurely when he was involved in a three-car crash with Mitch Evans and Jake Hughes that brought out the red flag and ultimately transformed the race into a four-lap sprint. That incident came in stark contrast to his earlier success in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the setback, Günther remains optimistic about the team’s prospects for the Monaco E-Prix.
“We certainly learned from it, got a very clear analysis of that weekend. And we are very fresh and recharged now for this weekend, for this doubleheader,” he explained.
“We know as well that Monaco is a different track to Miami. Street circuit here, different tarmac, temperatures, everything is different basically. So we’ve got, I think, a decent game plan for the weekend.”
Reflecting on Jeddah triumph
When asked about his impressive victory in Jeddah—where he secured pole position, fastest lap, and executed a decisive last-lap overtake—Günther was quick to emphasise the team effort behind the result.
“[It was] Certainly not just luck,” he stated. “I think we had a very good start to the season so far, one of five races in to season 11, and my new chapter with DS Penske. I really feel great inside the team, spending lots of time together, very good harmony and mindset in the team really, so enjoying my time a lot from the get-go.”
“We had a very good pace that weekend, and in particular, the first race day was pretty cool, starting with the pole position. Then, good pace in the race, but actually, we dropped quite a few places after the pit stop.”
“But with very good energy management and an attack mode remaining, sort of later than all the others—this then brought us back in the game, and to then finally pull off even the move on Oli [Rowland], was special because this meant we won our first race together that early on in the year.”
New season, new team
In his first season with DS Penske, Günther spoke positively about his partnership with teammate Jean-Éric Vergne, a two-time Formula E champion.
“It’s really cool to work together with JEV. He’s such an amazing and successful racing driver… and obviously, he has a long history with the team as well. And this, for me, is great to have him on the other side of the garage.”
Günther highlighted the rapid adjustment he made to the new team environment.
“I needed to settle in quickly, so I spent lots of time in the off-season with the team in order to get up to speed with all the systems, the car, the team, especially on the human side, because you work very closely together, and you need to have this blind trust and understanding for each other.”
“The exchange with JEV and me is great. I feel we bring different elements to the team. On the one hand, obviously, JEV’s long-term experience with the team and as well maybe some ideas from my side from previous experiences. And we’re pushing each other, I believe, to a higher level, which is always important.”
A home race for Maximilian Günther
For Günther, the Monaco E-Prix weekend carries special significance as it’s now his home race. When asked about Formula E’s decision to make Monaco a double-header this year, potentially diluting the prestige of winning at the iconic circuit, he offered a different perspective.
“I very much enjoy Monaco being a doubleheader because it’s, I think, the most iconic and special racetrack probably in the world,” Günther enthused. “For me, it means a lot to race here. Obviously, it’s a home race now since a few years, so it’s even nicer to have a small travel to the track.”
“Previous years, I think we all had this feeling like it’s so enjoyable, we have so much fun here in Monaco, and why not race a second time? And this is what we do now. And I think even if there are two winners this year in Monaco, it is still very special to win in Monaco. So this doesn’t change if you’ve got one or two races a weekend.”
