Interview with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team principal
McNish talks about the biggest challenges in Formula E
In his first season as Audi team principal in Formula E, Allan McNish (48) experienced a rollercoaster of emotions and a happy ending with the 2017/2018 teams’ title. In this interview the three-time Le Mans winner talks about his darkest moments, best decisions, his thoughts on the future of Formula E and why it is a luxury to have two aggressive drivers like Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi in the team. The first Formula E season with you being the team principal was a thriller until the very last lap. Has your heart rate come down a little bit since then? Champion of Formula E – how does that sound to you? Twelve points after four races into the season – what were you thinking at that time? What do you think is the biggest challenge being a team principal in Formula E? Can you name a best decision in your new role? And what would you write into the school report of Lucas di Grassi after this season? |
How do you moderate the situation that Daniel is chasing the much more experienced Lucas? For me the way to look at it is very simple: We need to have two fast, aggressive, hard-charging drivers and we need to have cars that deliver them race wins. If we do have that, we have the chance of taking some titles. If we don’t, we don’t. And then sometimes we might have the occasion that the two guys are at the front at the same time and unfortunately in motorsport only one can win. I much prefer to have a situation like this than not to be competitive at all. From my perspective, it’s a luxury to have two drivers and a team that are so passionate to win. Daniel stepped up very well and probably a little more than Lucas expected. Now they are pushing each other and that is exactly what we want and need. How do you rate Formula E – considering it is still kind of a start-up? I was not an instant believer that the championship would flourish to the same level it has. Mainly because I have seen a lot of championships come and go in their first couple of years. Formula E has been able to get that momentum much more than I, plus 95 percent of the motorsport community expected. Now, Formula E has to ensure that it stays clear with its DNA – and that is city street racing, taking the racing to the fans, close and hard competition, focus and the efficiency of electric drivetrains. At the same time, the series needs to evolve with the technology that is available and make sure that it stays the exciting Formula E that we have today. I don’t think Formula E should compete with Formula 1. It should make its own road and follow it. What do you expect from the future now with more big players like BMW, Mercedes and Porsche joining? Season 5 starts in the middle of December. What is your schedule in terms of preparations? The all-new Audi e-tron is just about to get on the road. How do you like it? |