After a difficult start to the 2018/19 season, Venturi Formula E Team Principal Susie Wolff is seeking a consistent performance baseline for the Monegasque squad at this weekend's Santiago E-Prix.
After two rounds of the 2018/19 campaign, Venturi is one of four teams yet to have finished inside the top 10, with reliability problems hampering the outfit's position in the Teams' Championship.
At the Ad Diriyah E-Prix, a brake-by-wire problem relegated Edoardo Mortara to the rear of the field while Felipe Massa's race was spoiled by a flurry of drive-through penalties, removing the Brazilian driver from contention for a potential points finish after running as high as eighth place.
In Marrakesh, energy efficiency and regeneration problems during the race ensured that both Massa and Mortara one again finished down the field, with Season Five marking the team's worst start to a season on record.
Hiring the services of Norman Nato and Arthur Leclerc, Venturi successfully gathered important data in Formula E's second in-season group test following the Marrakesh E-Prix in an attempt to carry the team forward, hoping to break into the top 10.
“We’ve had a tough start to the season but the last round in Marrakesh ended on a positive note with some consistent results during the rookie test and the team have continued making improvements between the races," said Wolff.
"Each track brings unique challenges and there’s only so much that you can prepare for with the simulator – on race day we need to focus on finding that perfect combination of reliable and consistent car performance.”
Heading to Santiago, Mortara expressed his excitement at returning to Chile where Venturi will see where it fits into Formula E's current running order after its recent technical problems:
“My wife is originally from Chile, so this is obviously a country dear to my heart. I also have great memories of the incredible warm welcome I received in Santiago last year," said Mortara, who finished in 13th at the 2018 event.
"In sporting terms, after the technical issues we had in the first two races, we’ve learned a lot and worked hard. I’m looking forward to seeing how we measure up against the other teams.”
Massa reflected Mortara's attitude, seeking to improve after a difficult start to his rookie season in the championship:
“I’m delighted to be making this stop in South America," he added. "Chile is a country I love and I know there are many Chileans amongst my fans – that’s an extra source of motivation for me.
"We haven’t started the season as well as we would have liked, but we’re constantly challenging ourselves to improve.
"We have tried to find solutions to our issues, and now I’m looking forward to testing them on the track.”
Formula E's fifth season of competition will take place on January 26 with the Santiago E-Prix.
