Disappointment for BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers in Berlin race two.

Berlin. The second race day of the Berlin finale (GER) to this season’s ABB FIA Formula E Championship was a disappointing one for BMW i Andretti Motorsport. Maximilian Günther (GER) and Alexander Sims (GBR) both suffered problems that resulted in them failing to pick up points in race seven of the season. The battery had to be replaced in Sims’ BMW iFE.20, which meant he had to start from the pit lane and received an additional drive-through penalty. Günther was running eighth when he damaged the front wing and a tyre in a battle with another car. By the time he emerged from the consequent pit stop, he found himself at the back of the field. Günther did initially continue, but subsequently retired. Sims came home in 19^th place. Races three and four at Berlin-Tempelhof are scheduled for the weekend.

Reactions to race 7 in Berlin:

Roger Griffiths (Team Principal BMW i Andretti Motorsport, team standings: 2^nd place):

“That was one of those days that you would like to rewind and start from the beginning again. It began badly, with the battery change on Alexander Sims’ car. We were then strong in practice, but unable to take that pace into qualifying. For Alexander, starting from the pit lane and the additional penalty meant his race was over before it even began. Maximilian Günther had a very good start and we were very promisingly positioned in the race. Unfortunately, there was then an incident with another car, which resulted in damage to the front wing and front-left tyre. We initially continued, to learn as much as possible for the coming races, but then called him back into the garage before the end of the race. We must use the time between now and the next race to analyse closely what we can do better.”

Alexander Sims (#27 BMW iFE.20, starting position: pit lane, race result: 19^th place, points: 48, driver standings: 7^th place):

“Starting from the pit lane, and with a penalty, that was obviously a pretty lonely race. Our only chance would have been if a safety car had made an appearance but that didn’t happen. Generally speaking, we have to understand why we have good pace in practice, but are unable to maintain that in qualifying.”

Maximilian Günther (#28 BMW iFE.20, starting position: 11^th place, race result: DNF, points: 44, driver standings: 9^th place):

“The race started very well. I climbed three places and was then able to save some energy. I felt good in the car. Unfortunately, there was then an incident with Sam Bird. I hit the wall whilst battling with him and damaged the car. That is obviously disappointing, but these things unfortunately happen sometimes.”

The FANBOOST vote.

FANBOOST gives Formula E fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes receive an extra 100 kJ of power, which they can make use of during a brief time frame in the second half of the race. For the Berlin event, fans could vote for their favourite driver in the ten days prior to, and leading up to 15 minutes into, the first of the six races. Each fan can vote once per day. At the start of each of the races, voting will then start for the next race. There are three ways to vote: online at https://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/, via the official Formula E App or on Twitter using the hashtag #FANBOOST as well as the driver’s first and last name as a one-word hashtag.

Hashtags for the BMW i Andretti Motorsport drivers.

#AlexanderSims

#MaximilianGuenther

The BMW i Safety Cars.
BMW i is “Official Vehicle Partner” of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Season 6. Spearheading the fleet are two Safety Cars: The BMW i8 Roadster Safety Car (combined fuel consumption: 2.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption:  14.5 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 46 g/km)*, which has been specially modified for use at the racetrack, and the BMW i8 Coupé Safety Car (combined fuel consumption: 1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 14.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 42 g/km)*. The BMW i fleet also includes the BMW i3s (combined fuel consumption: 0.0 l/100 km; combined energy consumption:  14.3 kWh; combined CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km)* as “Race Director Car” and the BMW 530e (combined fuel consumption: 2.2-2.1 l/100 km; combined energy consumption: 13.6-13.3 kWh/100 km; combined CO₂ emissions: 49-47 g/km)* in its role as “Medical Car”.