DS Techeetah Team Principal Mark Preston is confident that the team will secure a podium result at this weekend's Santiago E-Prix, aiming to emulate its Season Four performance at the first round of the South American leg of the 2018/19 calendar.
At the 2018 Santiago E-Prix, Techeetah became the first team in the history of Formula E to secure a 1-2 finish, with Jean-Eric Vergne taking his first win of the season at the event while Andre Lotterer secured his maiden podium finish in the championship.
Returning to Chile for the first time in 12 months, the newly designed Parque O’Higgins circuit shares the characteristics of a traditional street circuit, bearing little resemblance to the venues of both the Ad Diriyah and Marrakesh E-Prix with a blend of both a Tarmac and concrete racing surface.
“We had a nerve-wrecking race in Santiago last year," said Preston. "In the last ten minutes of the race, half of the paddock lost all radio and TV signal, so we had absolutely no clue what was going on at the track.
"Given then infamous eight-wheel lock up between André and Jean-Éric that was taking place at the time, I’m retrospectively relieved that we didn’t see it as it was stressful enough trying to get the coms back up and running.
"I didn’t actually see the crash until I got home 24 hours later and realised just how crazy it was.
“Santiago was good to us though and we celebrated the first ever 1-2 finish in Formula E history which was incredibly special for us.
"It was at this point in the season that things turned around and we commenced on our journey towards the championship title.
"With the pace we’ve had in the first two rounds this season, it’s fair to set our expectations on a podium finish, and preferably another 1-2!”
With one podium and a fifth place finish so far in Season Five, reigning champion Vergne currently occupies second in the Drivers' Championship and aims to fulfill his maximum potential in Santiago
“Santiago last year was crazy," he said. "Looking back at it one year later, I still can’t believe we got the first 1-2 in Formula E as a small customer team, and this was despite our lock up.
"This year we compete at a new circuit so I will give it the best that I can. It will be the second time I come to Santiago now and I absolutely love the atmosphere and the city, so I'm very happy to come back."
Lotterer, who remains winless in Formula E despite demonstrating ever-improving pace with three podium results, heads to Santiago hopeful of standing on the top step of the podium:
“I can’t wait to get to Chile. I love the place and it has a special place in my heart as it’s near Peru where my dad is from," he added.
"We have an incredible pace in the car and there’s no better feeling so we’re buzzing to get racing now.
We’re still pushing hard to get my first win and hopefully Santiago will be good to us again. It’s another new track in Santiago and we’ve done our homework to come as prepared as possible.”
The Santiago E-Prix will take place on January 26, marking the third round of the 2018/19 campaign.
