On the Hard Rock Stadium circuit, Formula E once again proved that everything can change in an instant. As drivers launch into a race where rain unexpectedly makes an appearance, DS Penske finds itself facing conditions as unpredictable as the Florida climate. Between solid performances and unexpected twists, here’s a recap of a weekend rich in emotions.
High-Stakes Practice
On this 2.32 km Formula 1 track adapted for the Formula E, lap times fall like leaves in autumn from the very first practice session. Maximilian Günther, a full-time driver for DS Penske, does not hesitate to share his thoughts:
“This is something we already know from Berlin, and it makes things even tighter. The shorter the lap, the smaller the margins. The biggest challenge will be getting the tires up to temperature, especially with these cool conditions, which will complicate qualifying. Additionally, the groups last only ten minutes, compared to twelve last year: we’ll need to attack right from the start.”
Despite these challenges, both DS E-TENSE FE25 cars driven by Taylor Barnard and Max Günther show solid pace, regularly placing in the top 10. Several pit stops allow for experimentation with different tire configurations in preparation for Saturday morning’s qualifying. At the end of a session without notable incidents, Taylor Barnard sets an impressive second-fastest time, just under a tenth of a second off the day’s reference.
A Sunday of Changing Colors
The next day, the scene transforms once again. While the sun returns, the clouds remain threatening. During practice, the first times begin to drop on the circuit, and 19 of the 20 single-seaters are within a tight margin of less than seven-tenths of a second. By the end of the session, the pace accelerates significantly.
Maximilian Gunther, DS PENSKE
Taylor Barnard makes a strong statement by setting the best time at 55″531, an impressive lap thanks to his exemplary consistency in each of the three sectors. The pole position will therefore be decided in the finest details during qualifying.
DS Penske Fighting for Qualification
The championship standings, which determine the composition of the qualifying groups, place Max Günther and Taylor Barnard together in the second group. With only four qualifying spots for the quarter-finals, the task looks challenging. The two drivers initially adopt a measured pace, remaining in the top 4 while waiting for the ideal window to exploit the tires in “time attack” mode.
Tension rises, and Taylor Barnard manages to set the reference time for his group, dominating without being troubled. Unfortunately, Max Günther misses out on qualifying for the quarter-finals by just… six thousandths of a second. In his first duel, Barnard narrowly misses out on a place in the semi-finals by a thousandth. He will ultimately start from the fifth position on the grid, while Max Günther will start five places further back.
A Rainy Race
To top it all off, rain decides to make an appearance at the last minute. On the grid, teams urgently adjust suspension settings, some betting on the drying nature of the track. The race starts after four laps behind the safety car. Taylor Barnard manages to stay in the top 10 while Max Günther gets caught in traffic and loses several positions.
Taylor Barnard, DS Penske
Having chosen to stick with a “dry setup,” the German driver must adopt a moderate pace as the rain, against all odds, intensifies. With 39 laps on the agenda, the first Attack modes quickly shuffle the cards. Taylor Barnard opts for patience, staying in the heart of the pack and conserving his energy for the second half of the race.
When he goes on the attack, most of his rivals have already used their energy jokers. The young Brit exploits the all-wheel drive of his DS E-TENSE FE 25 in Attack mode but can only manage a 14th position, five places ahead of Maximilian Günther.
Looking to the Future
Despite inconsistent performances, the DS Penske team has shown that it can compete with the best. The drivers have managed to take advantage of the changing conditions and prepare their car intelligently. The next round of the Formula E World Championship will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with two races scheduled for February 13 and 14. Who knows what surprises these desert races will hold?
