The midfield prepares for its final fight of Season 2
Only five points separate fifth and seventh in the standings, with NEOM McLaren Extreme E currently heading the trio with 34 points. Genesys Andretti United Extreme E is just behind with 33 points, and XITE ENERGY Racing narrowly adrift with 29 points
NEOM McLaren Extreme E made their mark almost immediately in the championship, winning the Crazy Race is sensational style as they came from behind to overhaul JBXE and reach the Final at the first race. A crash for Foust, though, dampened the mood slightly ensuring the team were fifth on debut.
A difficult start to the NEOM Island X Prix double-header in Sardinia meant Foust and Gilmour rounded the standings in race one, however, the NEOM Island X Prix II in Sardinia seemed to bring a change of pace. Here, Gilmour and Foust secured P3 in qualifying, demonstrating the team’s potential. Yet, after a tense head-to-head between Gilmour and ABT CUPRA XE’s Jutta Kleinschmidt NEOM McLaren Extreme E were unable to reach their second Final of the campaign.
Despite the setbacks, the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X-Prix in Chile provided an opportunity for Foust and Gilmour. Despite showing clear speed throughout, to reach the Final NEOM McLaren Extreme E would once more have to fight through the Crazy Race. In a thriller in the Atacama Desert, the team in papaya were not to be denied – despite contact between Foust and JBXE’s Hedda Hosås which, after a spin for the American followed by a rapid recovery, nearly ruled them out of contention.
This meant that the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X-Prix was McLaren’s first Final appearance since their debut in Saudi Arabia, in February. The Final saw a sensational duel between Foust and Gilmour up against X44 Vida Carbon Racing’s Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutiérrez. An incredible overtake from Foust, who took the inside line to pass Loeb during his stint, looked to set NEOM McLaren Extreme E up for their maiden win.
A strong driver switch and tight battle Gutierrez ended with Gilmour clinching the win, only to lose the victory after a post-race penalty. This meant the team were demoted to fifth overall, but a statement of intent regarding their speed in the series.
Sitting in sixth on the leader board is Genesys Andretti United Extreme E, who entered Chile on a high after securing their first podium finish of the season at NEOM Island X Prix II. Here, after taking the Crazy Race honours, Munnings and Hansen embarked on a four-way scrap for the win in the Final. While competition was tough, a late safety infringement disqualification for ABT CUPRA XE, meant the Genesys Andretti United Extreme E outfit found themselves on the third step of the podium.
This was an important change of momentum after a challenging start in Saudi Arabia and the first round in Sardinia. Despite flashes of speed in qualifying, the team had yet to finish with a result that reflected this. Particularly at the Desert X Prix, whereby a thrilling Semi Final 2 showdown against No.99 GMC HUMMER EV Chip Ganassi racing and ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team ended with a huge roll, ruling the team out of the Final.
Importantly, the upwards trajectory from Sardinia seemed to act as a springboard for Chile, with Munnings and Hansen securing a victory in Qualifying 2 Heat 1. However, a combination of bad luck and penalty misfortune meant that they were unable to secure a second podium in succession. As a result, the team remain in the midfield, despite their pace demonstrating they could challenge for frontrunning honours.
In comparison, XITE ENERGY RACING had a tough weekend in Chile, with a technical issue in Qualifying 2 Heat 1 and only finishing in second place in the Crazy Race ensuring the team could only finish as high as seventh.
This was a tough change from the team’s performance in earlier X Prix. In the Season 2 opener, Molinaro and previous racing team-mate, Oli Bennett, took on RXR and X44 Vida Carbon racing in Semi-Final 1 for a place in the Final and only narrowly missed out.
They built on this for NEOM Island X Prix I, where they secured XITE ENERGY RACING’s best-ever result, finishing second – with Molinaro this time partnered by fellow former Championship Driver Timo Scheider. The duo were unfortunately not able to replicate their earlier podium in the second part of the double-header – as the team finished tenth.
XITE ENERGY RACING will also be entering the Uruguay Natural Energy X Prix with a new driver line up. Molinaro will be joined by Argentinian Ezequiel Companc to fight for the final points of the season. Companc’s experience as both Team Principal and driver for Madpanda Motorsport, as well as his abilities behind the wheel through his GT racing exploits, should bring valuable expertise to the team.
The final round of the 2022 season will be in Punta del Este, Uruguay and will take place over the weekend of the 26-27 November. After last year’s dramatic ending, the finale to the 2022 campaign promises to be just as climactic.
