Audi may want to use group orders to relaxed 2018/19 Formula E name
Audi may want to use team orders to relaxed the 2018/19 Formula E drivers’ name in favor of Lucas di Grassi, regardless of his group-mate Daniel Abt additionally being in mathematical contention.
Both Audi drivers are within the group of 8 contenders who could win the championship at this weekend’s ABB FIA FE season finale in New York but are appreciably at the back of standings chief Jean-Eric Vergne.
Di Grassi is his nearest challenger, 32-factors in the back of, while Abt is furthest away in the 8th region, fifty five-points adrift.
Audi and Vergne’s DS Techeeatah squad are the most effective teams with drivers still in with a threat of prevailing the drivers’ name. However, the current scenario method the former has no longer ruled out deploying crew orders to enhance its possibilities.
“We need to be one- first,” Audi team primary Allan McNish instructed Autosport whilst asked if Abt and di Grassi might be swapped if they were leading within the first race of the weekend.
“[But] if the championship decides on it, both our drivers recognize.
“This is a complicated one, being very frank, due to the fact – and I’ve been in both positions – you could provide to 1 and eliminate from the alternative.
“And so that you’ve got to be very cautious in what you are doing there.
“You’ve were given to apprehend [that], but we know we come right here with an intention, and that’s a clear intention.
“It’s going to be tough, a project, to say the least. So, I wouldn’t rule something out at this level. Not announcing there’s [a plan, though].”
Abt stated he had no longer yet been instructed of a selected plan to try and increase Audi’s chances within the drivers’ championship; however, he introduced, “I’m conscious that this could show up and this could happen if it is wished.”
“I think it truly is completely official,” he continued to Autosport.
“That’s how it’s miles in a sport like this and a very last if one motive force is positioned in advance and then I’m asked to do that then it really is my job to do that.
“But let’s see, to this point, we didn’t need anything like that – however it can manifest.”
Vergne’s group-mate Andre Lotterer obeyed a request to help Vergne comfortable the 2017/18 name inside the first New York race closing season.
But on that occasion, he did now not have his personal title goals. He is currently fourth within the 2018/19 standings, forty four-points in the back of Vergne.
Lotterer explained that the scenario heading into Saturday’s race would impact DS Techeetah’s personal preference concerning group orders.
“Let’s see how we qualify,” he advised Autosport.
“Mathematically, I ought to nonetheless win, but I’m realistic as well – it is a huge points hole, and being inside the same group, the crew desires to at ease his identity on Saturday.
“Fair enough with the gap he has – [to] try to put away all the threats that stumble upon.
“But there are 3 duties to do – the teams’ championship. Obviously, they need to optimize his; I want to optimize mine.
“But let’s see – it will likely be determined with the aid of the situations we’re in.”
