Maserati MSG Racing experienced a difficult opening race at the 2023 Diriyah E-Prix, with the team navigating a handful of challenges in the first part of Formula E’s Saudi Arabian double-header.
Following a promising weekend in Mexico City, the team made positive progress during practice at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, however, endured a bruising qualifying session in the afternoon.
Both Edoardo Mortara and Maximilian Günther launched their efforts in Group A, although a sudden front tyre lock and collision in Turn 11 brought about an early end to Max’s afternoon of running.
Later in the session, Edo was also involved in an accident, in which an off-line half-spin tipped the Swiss-Italian driver into the barriers on the outside of Turn 16.
As a result of extensive repair work, Max was unable to participate in the race, which left Edo as Maserati MSG Racing’s sole charger.
From 20th on the grid, he made immediate progress on the opening lap and following a brief Safety Car period, continued to fight forward.
By lap 11, Edo had ascended to 15th and next overtook Sérgio Sette Câmara for 14th before settling into a rhythm behind reigning World Champion, Stoffel Vandoorne.
A puncture on lap 33 of 39 dealt a final cruel blow and forced Edo to retire from the race, with the team’s full attention now placed on Race Two in Diriyah.
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