Maximilian Günther faced a challenging Season 10 Formula E finale at the 2024 London E-Prix, with the German racer navigating a heartbreaking Saturday at the ExCeL Circuit before being impacted by further bad fortune on Sunday.
As one of the most technical circuits on the Season 10 calendar, early performance indicated that the indoor-outdoor venue would suit Max’s Maserati MSG Racing package, and the 27-year-old showed strong pace throughout the weekend.
In Qualifying for Race One, however, Max narrowly fell short of the duel stages after losing time in Sector Two in a strong run which saw him lead the way in the first and final part of the lap.
This left Max starting from 11th, but by taking advantage of a chaotic start to the race, the Oberstdorf-born driver successfully carved his way through the field to move into the top five.
Given the ExCeL Circuit’s limited number of overtaking opportunities, track position was central to Max’s race and by taking Attack Mode early without losing ground, he placed himself in a supreme strategic position.
After taking fourth from Norman Nato, Max started to pressure Sebastien Buemi in the podium battle and overtook the Envision driver for third before clearing Mitch Evans to claim second place.
A late Safety Car, caused by debris on track, presented Max with a late opportunity to contend for the lead before a gearbox issue caused him to come to a stop and forced him to retire.
Despite this disappointment, Max entered Sunday with a refreshed but determined mindset and staged a clinical performance in Qualifying to start on the front row after defeating Jean-Eric Vergne and Mitch Evans in the Quarter- and Semi-Finals.
In a hard-fought start to Race Two, however, Max unfortunately lost second off the line and after taking both Attack Modes early, held seventh on the road but quickly moved up the order by snatching sixth away from Vergne.
Unfortunately, Max was forced to retire after sustaining terminal damage following contact with Nick Cassidy, who slowed dramatically in front of Max on the apex of Turn 20 with a puncture.
Following the conclusion of the London E-Prix, Max ends Season 10 in eighth in the Formula E World Drivers’ Championship standings with 73 points, securing highlight moments including a victory in Tokyo and podium at the Maserati’s brand’s home race at Misano.
Max will be back in action for Formula E Pre-Season testing on 4-7 November 2024 at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo before the opening race of Season 11 in São Paulo, Brazil, on 7 December.
