Sardinia setbacks for Andretti Altawkilat
Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E will be aiming to end their 2023 campaign on a high at the season finale in Chile (2-3 December). Despite taking victory in the Round 7 Redemption Race, securing the fastest Continental Traction Challenge time en route, Catie Munnings and Timmy Hansen’s progress in Sardinia was beset by setbacks, ensuring they were unable to take part in a Grand Final across the second instalment of the Island X Prix.
The team’s opening Qualifying Heat on the Italian island set the tone for things to come.
Early contact between Hansen and Rosberg X Racing’s (RXR) Johan Kristoffersson dropped the Andretti Altawkilat ODYSSEY 21 to the back of the pack in Q1 H2. The resultant collision meant a puncture and suspension damage, ensuring the team would have to retire from their first race of the weekend.
Their Round 7 woes continued as, upon further inspection back in the garage, it was discovered that their ODYSSEY 21 had sustained significant damage, including a cracked chassis. As a result, it was not possible for the car to be ready for the second Qualifying Heat. The team worked throughout the rest of the day to rebuild the car and have it ready for the Redemption Race.
And the team’s efforts were rewarded, taking victory in the Redemption Race after a brilliant comeback drive from Hansen and Munnings, salvaging sixth overall and some pride for Andretti Altawkilat after a troublesome day. They were also able to claim two extra Championship points for the Continental Traction Challenge thanks to Munnings' and Hansen's combined fastest time through Sector 2.
Catie Munnings, Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E, said: "We wrapped up Round 7 in the best possible way after the Q1 incident. We're very happy to take the Continental Traction Challenge as well.
“It was an unfortunate incident in Q1 for Timmy [Hansen], which meant that we weren't able to start Q2. I was unsure as to how the track would be given that I hadn’t driven it since the Free Practice session, so for us to come out and have good speed in the Redemption Race and cross the line in first place was the best that we could do to help raise the morale of the team.”
Timmy Hansen, Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E, said: "Round 7 started in the most difficult way. Racing in Qualifying 1, I was going side-by-side with Johan [Kristoffersson] and my car went on two wheels. I managed to save the car from rolling but, unfortunately, in the process I hit a rock which caused a lot of damage to the car. The mechanics had a huge job to do to fix the car.
"The damage was pretty bad, so we weren’t able to make it to Qualifying 2 and found ourselves in the Redemption Race. We had great pace making it out from exiting Turn 1 in fourth place and in the lap overtook third, then second and eventually first.
"Catie [Munnings] took over the car in the lead and managed to increase the gap to the car behind. We also won the Continental Traction Challenge today, and we were both pretty fast in that section."
In a closely fought start to Round 8, trouble befell Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E once more in Qualifying 1. Competitive racing from the female drivers saw all ODYSSEY 21s close together, but just as Munnings looked to be about to pass Amanda Sorensen for third, the Brit went into the back of the No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi Racing car in the water, resulting in a DNF for Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E with the team beached on the rugged terrain.
The team enjoyed a race-long battle with Carl Cox Motorsport in their Qualifying 2 Heat, but after eventually getting the upper hand in their on-track squabble as a result of a post-race penalty, the points for fourth place were not enough to secure a place in the Grand Final.
Hopes were high for a repeat performance in the resulting Redemption Race, but after again battling it out with Carl Cox Motorsport’s Timo Scheider and Lia Block, second place, and seventh overall, was the most Munnings and Hansen could muster.
Andretti Altawkilat Extreme E’s attentions turn to the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, where the team will aim to climb up from seventh in the standings in the remain two rounds.
Munnings said: "We had a better starting position for the Grand Final and were hopeful of a strong result. I managed to pass Lia Block on the third lap of the race, which moved us up into second place. However, the gap in front was quite big so we managed our pace from there on to bring the car home safely.
"It was very tricky conditions all weekend, though we've shown examples of our strong pace – when we won the Round 7 Redemption Race and also claimed the Continental Traction challenge. A big thanks to the team for all their work. We head to Chile determined that we can turn things around and come away with a strong result."
Hansen added: "We had incredible pace, demonstrated when we won the Continental Traction challenge, but Extreme E has proven that it’s not all just about pure pace. It's short, sharp racing and Turn 1 is a big deal. There are positives to take away from this weekend, though it’s also been very frustrating. We deserve a good result. The car is good and Catie is driving extremely well.
"I’m looking forward to Chile and hoping that things will go our way. We certainly deserve that after a tough season. We’re aiming to be on the top step of that podium and I’m confident we can do it. We just need to own the day and execute every session."
Rounds 9 and 10 of Extreme E Season 3 will be live across ITV and STV in the UK, while outside of the UK please visit here for broadcaster details.
