Less than eight months have passed since Maserati MSG’s impressive victory in the Formula E race in Jakarta. Maximilian Guenther displayed remarkable skill and efficiency as he crossed the finish line first. Since then, the team has struggled to replicate that level of dominance. However, considering the challenges they have faced, their ability to persevere is commendable. The off-season was chaotic, marked by the departure of key personnel such as team principal James Rossiter and chief engineer Jeremy Colancon. There were even doubts about whether the team would be able to build and ship their cars in time for the pre-season test in Valencia. Yet, the team proved their resilience at Valencia, putting in solid performances despite the skeptics’ pessimistic predictions. The Mexico City opener was a daunting challenge, with both Guenther and new teammate Jehan Daruvala experiencing mishaps in the first free practice session. However, Guenther’s exceptional driving secured him a third-place grid start, making him the fastest non-Jaguar or -Porsche entry. Although he narrowly missed the podium in the race, Guenther was undoubtedly one of the standout performers outside of the top teams. While their performance in Diriyah was not as strong, Guenther’s eight points from three races are a testament to the team’s achievements under difficult circumstances. Cyril Blais, the team’s new chief engineer, played a crucial role in maintaining stability and ensuring that the team remained competitive. Blais joined the team from Mahindra, where he had worked with drivers Pascal Wehrlein and Alex Lynn. His strong work ethic and pragmatic approach were exactly what the team needed during a challenging period. Despite the setbacks caused by the restructuring, Blais believes that the team still has the potential to succeed. He emphasizes that the team is not solely reliant on a few individuals but rather on the collective efforts of the entire team. Blais acknowledges that the restructuring did divert resources and energy away from performance-related matters, which is regrettable. The lack of stability within the senior team has had a negative impact on Maserati MSG, as has the team’s commercial situation. The team is currently in discussions with potential investors and may undergo significant changes in the near future. Maserati MSG is primarily funded by co-chairman Scott Swid and Jose Aznar, who own the team outright. The details of their partnership with Maserati are unknown, but it has secured the team a powertrain supply from DS Automobiles for the Gen3 era. However, the team’s business side requires further development, and recent months have seen changes in management, technical personnel, and financial and commercial leadership. Rumors of a potential sale or the search for additional partners have been circulating since the end of the 2023 season. Despite these distractions, the team remains focused on their duties and strives for stability. Blais emphasizes the importance of stability in a competitive team and believes that it is the key to success. The team has made efforts to improve, turning negative news into positive opportunities and giving individuals more responsibility. One example of this is Fabien Geffroy, who transitioned from a strategy engineer to team manager. His positive energy and dedication have helped propel the team forward. While Maserati MSG has surprised many with their performances so far, their biggest challenge lies in securing their future. Blais and the team will continue to work diligently, and there may be more surprises in store throughout the season. The team’s underdog status may give them an advantage at new tracks like Tokyo, Shanghai, and Misano. As for the future, Blais acknowledges that it is beyond his control. However, he and the team will continue to prove the doubters wrong by focusing on what they do best – racing.
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