Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler team boss Allan McNish has said that the German marque has "nothing to lose, but everything to gain" in Formula E's New York City Season 5 finale this weekend.
After 11 races this season, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler is locked in a fight for both the Drivers' and Teams' Championships, with Lucas di Grassi fighting Jean-Eric Vergne for the prior while the team faces DS Techeetah to retain the latter title.
Given the team's position as challengers as opposed to defenders in both title battles, McNish acknowledged the difficult task that the team faces heading into the New York season finale, however, after taking the Teams' Championship in unexpected circumstances last season, asserted that everything is still to play for:
“We started the season with the goal of winning races and fighting for all titles up until the end – and we have managed to do that,” said McNish, Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler Team Principal.
“Looking at the standings, we’re obviously facing a difficult task. But Daniel [Abt], Lucas [di Grassi] and the whole team showed what’s possible with an incredible team performance last year. We have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain.”
While Audi trails DS Techeetah by 43 points in the Teams' Championship, di Grassi trails Vergne by 32 in the Drivers' Standings and faces an uphill battle to take his second Formula E title.
Converting a 10 point deficit into a 24 point advantage en route to taking his Season 3 crown, however, it is clear that the title fight is far from over for the Brazilian:
“As long as we have a chance in absolute terms, we’re going to give it our all," said di Grassi. "In the past, we proved more than once that the role of the hunter suits us well.”
Daniel Abt, who also stands a mathematical chance of taking the Season 5 title, added: “New York is a mega city with a circuit that I really enjoy. A victory is still missing in my collection. That would be a perfect conclusion in the finale."
The double-header New York City E-Prix will take place this weekend on July 13 and 14, racing in the Red Hook neighbourhood of Brooklyn.
Discussion about this post