Michael Andretti has expressed the need for BMW i Andretti Motorsport to capitalise on its potential and minimise its mistakes at this weekend's Santiago E-Prix following the team's implosion in Marrakesh.
At the Marrakesh E-Prix two weeks ago, BMW missed out on a potential 1-2 finish in only its second in Formula E race as a manufacturer, with contact between Antonio Felix da Costa and Alexander Sims removing the team from contention for a second consecutive victory.
While da Costa took responsibility for the incident in the closing stages of the 45-minute + 1 lap event after retiring from the race, Sims recovered as BMW's sole finisher, taking fourth place at the chequered flag.
Sitting in second in the Teams' Championship, BMW trails DS Techeetah by seven points and if the squad is able to capitalise on its clear potential and reduce its mistake rate, Michael Andretti, CEO of Andretti Autosport, is confident that the outfit will once more be able to compete for another competitive result:
“I am excited for Formula E and BMW i Andretti Motorsport to return to the Santiago E-Prix, which was a great race and event last season," said Andretti.
"The South American people are incredibly passionate about motorsport and we always enjoy getting to race in front of such a great group of fans.
"We are only two races into the Formula E season, and the team has already proved what we are capable of.
"Going into Santiago, we just need to capitalise on that potential, minimise mistakes, and I know we can compete for another great result.
"We won our first race in Round 1, ran at the front in Round 2 and now we want to get back on the podium in Round 3.”
BMW Motorsport Director, Jens Marquardt, expressed his optimism about da Costa and Sims running at the front of the pack in Santiago, insisting that the team has moved on from its downfall in Morocco:
“We’ve moved on from the Marrakesh race and the team is really looking forward to Santiago," he said.
"Even though we didn’t pick up as many points as was possible there, the BMW iFE.18 was convincing once again.
"The performance of the car is right and both drivers are very fast which is why we are optimistic that we will be up there at the front again in Santiago.
"The objective is to get the maximum points haul with both cars this time," he added.
