After a difficult start to Formula E's fourth season of competition, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler team boss Allan McNish has said that the German marque head to New York City this weekend with "a clear attitude and focus" on the Teams' Championship.
Prior to the start of Season Four, the Audi squad were tipped as favourites for the title, however, were plagued by reliability problems in the first part of the season, only recovering at the Mexico City E-Prix.
The team's recent resurgence has seen near domination from the outfit in recent races, having emerged as the victors in both Berlin and Zurich while reigning Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi has secured five consecutive podium finishes.
This new-found form has allowed the team to close in on current championship leaders Techeetah with one race remaining, with the team heading to this weekend's New York City E-Prix with a mathematical chance of taking the Teams' Championship title.
“During the difficult start to the season, we kept cool and faith in ourselves,” said Allan McNish, team principal of Audi's Formula E entry.
“We worked hard both on the race track and back home in Neuburg – even though it will be difficult, we now go to New York with a clear attitude and focus on the championship.”
For Daniel Abt, returning to the Red Hook neighbourhood allows the German driver, who was victorious in Mexico City and Berlin, to settle past grievance:
“That Formula E holds a race in the center of the city is simply fantastic,” said Abt.
“In terms of racing, the New York E-Prix was a very nerve-wracking event for me last season. On the first race day, things were going pretty well for me before, while lying in third position, I started coasting shortly before the finish due to a common part issue which was not our fault…
"I still have a score to settle with New York,” he added.
Di Grassi, who is Formula E's most recent winner having dominated the inaugural Zurich E-Prix last month, highlighted Audi's second half of Season Four as the team's "true colours':
“We showed our true colours in the second half of the season and scored more points than any other team,” he said. “If you summarized the races in Rome, Paris, Berlin and Zurich, we’d be European champions now!”
With 33 points separating Techeetah and Audi in the Teams' Standings and with 94 points still available, the New York City E-Prix will see a new team crowned as champions with Renault e.dams mathematically out of contention for the title this season.
