NEOM McLaren’s sporting director, Gary Paffett, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s new driver pairing, Mattias Ekstrom and Cristina Gutierrez, at the beginning of the Extreme E season in Saudi Arabia. Paffett believes that both drivers exceeded expectations and showcased their skills on the track. Ekstrom’s ingenuity and ability to find openings that others may not see, combined with Gutierrez’s composure under pressure and impressive racing abilities, contributed to a strong start for McLaren’s new era.
Despite achieving a podium finish on Saturday and winning the Redemption Race on Sunday, Paffett acknowledged that the team faced difficulties throughout the event. Mechanical issues plagued the team, and they are still working to identify and resolve the underlying problem. Paffett believes that there is room for improvement in the car’s performance.
One notable moment from the weekend was Ekstrom’s strategic maneuver during the first corner of the opening lap. By taking a wider line initially and utilizing the momentum to power up the inside in the second phase of the turn, Ekstrom gained a significant advantage. This move had been planned in advance and surpassed the team’s expectations. Paffett praised Ekstrom’s ability to assess the entire track environment and find alternative paths to gain an edge over his competitors.
The team’s victory in the Redemption Race on Sunday holds more significance this season. Previously, it may have been considered insignificant, but now it awards the same number of points as finishing last in the final. This victory provides a sense of redemption for the team and offers valuable points towards the championship. Paffett emphasized the importance of performing well in these races, especially when competing against strong teams like Rosberg.
While there were positive aspects to McLaren’s performance, Paffett acknowledged the need to address certain areas to compete for the championship. The team demonstrated their ability to contend with the best on Saturday but must overcome challenges and consistently perform at a high level. The Redemption Race is crucial in this regard, as it offers an opportunity to earn valuable points and compete on an equal footing with teams in the final.
According to the Source racer.com
