Britain's Oliver Turvey believes that NIO Formula E can challenge for podiums after a confidence-inspiring performance at last weekend's Berlin E-Prix.
In Berlin, Turvey continued his strong and consistent performances in qualifying to secure a spot in the Super Pole shootout, claiming provisional pole position temporarily before being beaten to the top spot by Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler's Daniel Abt.
Starting on the front row of the grid in second place, Turvey held the position for a large portion of the opening stint at the Flughafen Tempelhof circuit before being overtaken by reigning Formula E champion, Lucas di Grassi, on lap 12.
Pitting on lap 22 after consuming a large portion of usable energy in his first NIO Sport 003 machine, Turvey rejoined the race in third position after the leaders pitted one lap later.
A diving move from Season Two champion Sebastien Buemi pushed Turvey wide in Turn 10 on lap 33, allowing Jean-Eric Vergne also to follow through which pushed the Briton down to fifth where he ultimately finished.
"[I had a] good qualifying session from group one and then I was really pleased with my Super Pole lap so start on the front row of the grid," Turvey told Motorsport Week.
"I had a good start and managed to hold second on the first lap and then I actually had a bit of a gap so I was trying to save energy as much as possible. I think in the end, to keep the position was having to go a lap shorter.
"We changed the strategy in the stint and I think that was a good decision. [The] second stint made it more tough. A tougher second stint but we had a great pit stop, one of our best pit stops and quickest pit stops of the year so I was pleased with that.
"[The] second stint was always going to be tough when you’re doing a longer stint compared to the other guys doing a short stint but I think we managed it pretty well and to come back and finish fifth I think was a good result and more points for the team.”
Turvey pinned his fifth-place finish in Berlin on his strong performances in qualifying which have handed the man from Cumbria with the reputation of being one of the most consistent drivers on the current Season Four grid.
"[Qualifying] is massively important. That one lap in qualifying with the 200 kilowatts is where it really matters and that’s where you’ve got to deliver," he continued.
"I feel I’ve been qualifying well actually for the last two seasons really so, you know, I think since the end of Season Two [I’ve] been qualifying consistently in the front few.
"I think I’ve really focused on trying to deliver every time on that lap and trying to maximise the performance of the car so I’m pleased that I’ve been consistently qualifying well and it’s not easy in Formula E with the one lap, especially [on] street tracks but that’s why it’s so important.
"To have a good grid position for the race makes a big difference.”
When asked by Motorsport Week if he was content with fifth place in Berlin, Turvey replied:
"No, I’m always aiming for podiums. I think you want to get the most out of what you’ve got and I think in the race… We’ve been strong in qualifying and we’ve definitely made a good step forwards in the race.
"I think we still need to improve a little bit in terms of the race pace but I think we can take confidence from this – that we were fighting at the front again and take that forwards and try and learn and try and improve the car and try and come back and fight for a podium at the next race.”
With three races remaining in Season Four, Turvey occupies eighth in the Drivers' Championship having scored 44 of NIO's 45 points in this present campaign.
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