'My goal is to become world champion and I can do that in Formula E'

It is an open secret that Nyck de Vries was the intended driver at Maserati MSG Racing this season until AlphaTauri brought him to Formula 1. By necessity, Maserati looked further and eventually ended up with Maximilian Günther. While De Vries struggles to find his feet in F1, Günther won the Jakarta ePrix a fortnight ago. His next goal is clear: the title.

Günther didn't have much time to celebrate the impressive victory. After all the formalities were concluded, Günther had to head to the airport for the long flight back to his home base in Monaco. "So we could only celebrate a little bit on the plane. But then, in Monaco, we made up for it and had a good celebration," Günther said, smiling broadly during an interview with GPblog.

Maserati, the perfect move

Günther won with Andretti-BMW in the 2021 New York ePrix and had to wait almost two years for his next win. The following season, he competed for Nissan. With an uncompetitive car, the German, who also holds Austrian nationality, was really only making up the numbers. "It had been a very tough season," says the former Mercedes F1 team simulator driver. "There were other options as well outside of Formula E. My goal was to be in Formula E with a top team."

Only there was no place there initially. So alongside the already committed Edoardo Mortara, Nyck de Vries was due to sit in the car of the former Venturi Racing, renamed Maserati, last winter. Until everything changed: "Obviously, then it was possible to make a move to Maserati MSG Racing. This was exactly what I was looking for. We share 100% of the same values. To be part of this team is great."

Günther had to wait a long time

Before the season, Maserati were listed as championship contenders. In reality, until Sao Paulo, the team found themselves in the middle of the pack or even behind. "The start of the season has not been easy for the whole team," Günther says. In Berlin, the 25-year-old was back on the podium for the first time (P3). In Jakarta, things went entirely to plan.

"But obviously, it's even more special. I think we are very proud of this turnaround quality of our season. The momentum changed a few weekends ago. Berlin with the first podium and good points. And obviously, the double pole position and win in Jakarta is extremely special. To do all this for a brand like Maserati is even more special. I'm very proud of what we have achieved already this year."

Reaping the benefits of all the hard work

During qualifying, Maserati have been relatively strong since the ePrix in India. Strides have been made in terms of race pace, especially since Berlin. "Clearly, now we are in a good position. We definitely have good pace, and we will try to keep improving in the next weekends," said Günther. At the Maserati offices, such words are undoubtedly heard with satisfaction. The historic brand has been the title sponsor since this season and (together with DS Automobiles) supply the powertrain. For the first time, an Italian manufacturer is competing in FE.

"Basically, the team was Venturi Racing before. The core structure of the team is the same. In previous years, the team became vice-world champions last year. For sure, there are changes. There are changes like the powertrain supplier or the powertrain, which is new for us. You have to find your way. On the human side, you have to have good communication, and you have to have a good exchange. It takes time. The same for me. I'm new. I've got a new team principal James Rossiter. I think really a great group of people. You need a bit of time for this to fully settle in and benefit. I think this is what we've done in the past few months," Günther said.

The Maserati driver is now in his fifth season in Formula E, where he stood in the top podium position four times. Yet he is still waiting for that absolute breakthrough when he will compete for victory in every race and eventually for the title. "For sure. It's one of my goals that I want to achieve in my career. Formula E is extremely competitive. This world championship is something that attracts me, obviously, a lot. At the same time, you know it better than me. In racing, all the stars must be aligned to do something like this. I think what we are doing right now is putting in exactly this work to put ourselves in a strong position. I think for sure this year, we just focus on doing three more strong weekends, scoring many points, and then we will see where we end up."

No need for Formula 1

Günther believes he has grown during his time in Formula E. "I'm working a lot on myself, on all areas, on the physical side, on the mental side, on the driving side, on the work with the team. My goal is really all the time to become a better version of myself. And yes, I've been winning races in the past years already. But my goal is always to become better. And I knew, even though I had a very tough season last year, that last year I was a better driver than the season before. And this year, again, I know that I again stepped up my game. And this is what I constantly want to do. And yeah, that's why the Jakarta weekend has been such a special one for me. Because on this weekend, we could really show exactly this performance."

Maserati don't need to fear that Günther will make a sudden switch like De Vries. "I'm really, really happy where I am. In the end, it's not only about the talent to race in Formula 1. It has other factors as well. This is why for me, for five years, I'm so happy where I am in Formula E. And ultimately, my goal is to become a world champion. And this is what I could achieve in Formula E. There are definitely other series which are interesting as well, especially what we've seen in the last weekend, 24 Hours of Le Mans. Or Daytona, those are races that attract you as well. But my clear number one priority is Formula E. And this is definitely where I see my future."

Recently, Roberto Merhi told GPblog that racing in Formula 1 is pointless if you don't have decent equipment. When asked, Günther agrees that F1 is not everything and Formula E is a great alternative. "Absolutely. Formula 1, it's a great championship. The technology, the cars, the speed, everything. The whole history, Formula 1 has a long history in racing. Formula E is still a very new championship relative to that. But already the level is so high. I mean, you just need to see all the manufacturers involved, all the drivers involved. It's extremely competitive. As you point out, it's really a great area to be in."