NEOM McLaren’s Jake Hughes told Motorsport Week that he is sure his fellow FIA Formula E drivers were not fans of the Misano circuit and the ‘extreme’ level of peloton-style race that it provided.
The Englishman showed impressive pace all weekend, qualifying fourth on Saturday, before being disqualified from the session for an un-armed fire extinguisher, finishing the race in 13th place.
Hughes would bounce back on Sunday, putting his car on pole position, before finishing eighth – after a five second penalty – but it was scant reward for what was a weekend that promised so much.
“These types of races, as everyone says, you can start from anywhere and win,” Hughes said.
“So it’s not because I’m on pole, I’m expected to finish first or in the top three, it’s a separate day at the office in itself.
“I got a five second penalty I don’t feel I deserved, but it’s just carnage out there.”
Hughes alluded to the belief that the Misano circuit provided races that were more chaotic that last year’s Portland E-Prix, due to the width of the layout.
“It’s been worse than Portland, which was quite extreme last year. There, other than the straights, it’s two-by-two in most parts of the track because there’s grass everywhere so you don’t want to go wide and hope the driver gives you respect on the inside.
“Here, there’s track limits, entry limits, apex track limits, and there’s places you can put the car you won’t be able to do on lots of other tracks where we can concrete walls.
“It’s been a bit much in my opinion, but it’s one of those things.
“If the fans tell me they don’t want anything different, maybe us drivers have to chat amongst ourselves, but I’m pretty sure we all don’t like it.”
With Monaco now next, Hughes, who was on pole there last year, expects to be in contention again, especially with the benefit of experience.
“I was good there last year – what I know about Formula E now, if I did that last year, I’d have come out with a better result, but the track should suit us well.”
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