After claiming a dramatic podium finish the last time Extreme E raced on the Italian island two months ago, Andretti Altawkilat’s Timmy Hansen sets out the team’s ambitions ahead of the upcoming Island X Prix.
Extreme E: Andretti Altawkilat have had both highs and lows this season, what’s the mood like in the team?
Timmy Hansen: “It’s a great mood. We have got a great team together and spirits are definitely high. We haven’t won this season, but we did cross the line first in Scotland (a post-race penalty dropped the team to second). We were up there fighting for a potential win.
“We did get a podium in Sardinia finally, though, and we have to look at the positive there and know that in Extreme E anything can happen – there are so many things involved in getting the result. Definitely on the performance side we are looking to be up there, be fast and get the best starts, one day sooner or later the win will come, as will podiums.
XE: Do you enjoy racing in Sardinia?
TH: “Yes definitely. It’s a great track and a classic of Extreme E. We’ve done many races there and it is challenging with harsh terrain plus difficult to get the car set up perfectly. We will have some changes for this upcoming event, which I am excited about, but we’ll see how we go. We had a good car last time so hopefully it will be the same this time round.”
XE: Last time out you had Michael Andretti with the team, how was that experience?
TH: “For me it was fantastic, Michael reminds me a lot of my own dad, he’s just a pure racer. I’ve grown up in a family where racing is everything, we talk about racing, live racing and that always performance comes first. Michael is definitely the same, you can tell he grew up in a racing family, too.
“He was really pushing me on last time out in Sardinia, to risk it, to take a chance, to go for it and all those things, so I really enjoyed having his support last time out and I think that was definitely part of the success. I know he won’t be there this time, but I am proud to race under the Andretti name and looking forward to doing that again.”
XE: You got on the podium the last time we were in Sardinia in July. What will be key to getting back on the podium this time around?
TH: “When Catie [Munnings] did that incredible overtake, getting the final spot on the podium at the last corner, it was absolutely brilliant. Those are the things you need to bring out in the moment and of course you need to have a good day, good car and strong team, but I think we have all that. We will hope the form is there still and take the chances when they come.”
XE: A couple of podiums in the last few rounds have moved you up the standings to sixth, just four points behind X44 Vida Carbon Racing. How focused are you on the leaderboard?
TH: “Actually not so much to be honest. We’d been hoping to fight a little further up, but that’s that. The only thing you can do, whether you are focused on the leaderboard or not, is to go out there on track and give it everything you’ve got. That’s the only way, no matter what the championship standings are, if you’re leading, if you’re last, it’s the same approach. I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t think about the championship really. You just go out and deliver and that’s what we’ll do.”
XE: This is your third season with Catie as your teammate. How has your teamwork developed over the years?
TH: “Yeah I think we’ve gotten along all the time and we’ve definitely grown together into the sport and into what we are today with the team. It feels very comfortable to work with Catie, we know each other very well, she knows how to get me in the right mood for racing, really supporting me through the difficult and the good times and the same with me to her.
“She has done incredible moves through the years and I like to remind her of that when she’s feeling nervous or the pressure is building up. We work very well together and very happy that she is my teammate.
XE: You took a victory in Season 1 and nearly took a victory at the Hydro X Prix this year. Do you feel the next win is fast approaching?
TH: “You never know but I certainly hope so, we have to keep delivering and keep going fast. There are so many things to an Extreme E weekend, first of all the Qualifying session, if that goes bad you’ll likely miss the Grand Final, you can always fight back, but you’ll have to really put it together every single session. It’s not easy with the grid draws being as they are but that’s the risky nature of the sport.
“I hope the win will come soon. I hope for this weekend of course, but it’s about putting in the performance, being fast and taking the opportunities when they come which is key. We have what it takes to win one of these races and we can definitely do it again.”
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