Nico Müller: Calm before the storm 🎥
QUARANTINE BEFORE THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP This week sees the start of Formula E, which is being billed as a world championship for the first time. Nico Müller doesn't dare dream of the title - for him and Dragon Racing, the first points are the goal. It's starting again. The ambiance in Diriyah is special - this year also because the races are being held under floodlights. Around 200 [...]
Here we go again. The ambiance in Diriyah is special - this year also because the races are run under floodlights.
Around 200 days after the six final races at Berlin-Tempelhof in August 2020, FIA Formula E will start its seventh season with two evening rounds in Diriyah just outside Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. For the first time, the drivers and teams will officially compete for the world championship title.
Three Swiss among 24 pilots
As every year, Switzerland has a hot potato in the fire in the form of Sébastien Buemi on a Nissan. Edoardo Mortara, who starts for Venturi from Monaco, also at least knows how to win races. So far, he has lacked the consistency to play a role in the title fight.
Nico Müller was still a long way from such feelings of happiness in his first season in 2019/20. In a short interview with AutoSprintCH, he talks about his expectations - and the Corona measures.
How was the entry into Saudi Arabia?
Nico Müller: "I arrived at the hotel in Riyadh at 2 o'clock on Saturday morning and then immediately went into quarantine. We have to stay here in isolation for a total of 60 hours before we are allowed out, and we have to pass four Corona tests over all the days. Fortunately, the hotel rooms here are generous, so I can do some office work and prepare for the race days, as well as fitness training. So this time goes by faster than expected."
How fast will Dragon Racing's Penske race car be?
Nico Müller: "We are one of the three teams out of twelve that are not yet competing here with a new car. That has to do with the three homologation steps allowed for seasons 7 and 8. We've only optimized the software a bit, so it will certainly be difficult for us."
In that case, expectations should not be too high yet...
Nico Müller: "It would be nice not to finish in the final third of the field here. Compared to the teams with the new cars, reliability could be on our side. With the new Penske, we already want to fight for good points afterwards. You have to set such high goals even as a private team that develops the powertrain itself."
Even if it is now for a world championship?
Nico Müller: "It's really great to be fighting for the world championship title in such a top-class field. The level will certainly be even higher than in 2020 because teams like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche now have a season's experience. I myself feel better prepared than before my first season and know what to expect now."
What is the circuit of Diriyah like?
Nico Müller: "I think it's awesome! It's probably the most difficult track on the entire calendar. It's tricky to get a super lap. It's fluid, fast, extremely slippery (also due to the sand, Red.) and has no run-off zones - a real challenge."
Free TV live on private channels
Motorsport fans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland can look forward to extensive coverage on new TV channels. Friday evening, the broadcast from Saudi Arabia begins at 5:30 p.m. German time on ProSieben Maxx. Saturday then SAT.1 goes live from 5 p.m. on air.
All international broadcasters including broadcast times, the overview of teams and drivers as well as the provisional race calendar 2021 can be found at the following link.
