"A milestone!" - Günther & Maserati ready for Formula E home race in Rome amidst de Vries rumors

After good results at the start of the second half of the season, Maserati wants to continue its winning streak at their home race in Rome. In the first rounds of the silly sason, German Maximilian Günther, of all people, is under pressure: Nyck de Vries could, according to media reports, take over his cockpit in 2024, although Günther has scored the majority of the MSG points so far. The Italian race could thus become decisive for his future.

A German proverb says: One should celebrate parties as they come. And so, in Formula E there are a couple of racing teams that celebrate their "home race" quite simply twice a year. Maserati MSG Racing is one of them: After the home race of the MSG team in Monaco, the powertrain partner Maserati in Rome will now be delighted to present its own car in front of a home crowd.

The blue shimmering "Tipo Folgore" has recently been particularly successful in the hands of Maximilian Günther. The German won his first E-Prix for the brand with the trident in Jakarta, most recently joined by another good result in Portland - however, he lost a possible podium position due to an action by Sam Bird, who pushed Günther off the track. "The team is on great form at the moment," Günther nevertheless says. "I feel like momentum is in our favour. We just need to remain calm, take the weekend session-by-session, and see where we are at the end."

Mortara looking forward to home race: "Pretty special"

For Günther's teammate, Edoardo Mortara, in particular, the Rome E-Prix is a special event. After all, the 36-year-old is half-Italian, even if he competes in Formula E under the Swiss flag. "For me, this is my home race this season," says Mortara, "and I'm really looking forward to returning to a city that I personally love. With this weekend also being the Maserati brand's first race at home since 1957, it's going to be a pretty special event. As usual, I'm focused and well prepared to give it my all this weekend. I hope that we achieve the results that we deserve."

In the drivers' standings, Mortara, a title contender with MSG's predecessor team Venturi a year ago, is currently in 18th position. Günther has collected 61 points more than his garage neighbor in the season to date and, as seventh overall - unlike his teammate - even still has a mathematical chance of winning the world championship. That the German will succeed in doing so, however, is considered rather unlikely given the good form of the Jaguar and Porsche teams.

Media reports: de Vries as Günther's Maserati replacement for 2024?

A good result should not displease the German nevertheless: Especially in light of recent media reports that Günther's future at Maserati, of all people, is uncertain. Because while Mortara is said to still have a contract up to and including 2024, Günther's contract ends after this season. Following Nyck de Vries' Formula One exit from the AlphaTauri team, the Dutchman is said to be an option for Maserati. And could displace Günther in the process.

While the first stages of the driver carousel for the 2024 season are getting underway, Maserati motorsport boss Giovanni Sgro is looking forward to a special event for his team. He doesn't want to be distracted by discussions about the future of his duo just yet: "As an Italian brand we are very excited Formula E is coming to Italy this weekend," Sgro said. "Racing on home soil has obviously a special taste. Regardless of how the race ends, this round will always be a milestone for Maserati. We remain focused and hope to experience a first home race to remember."

The Rome E-Prix will feature two races this year: Two Formula E individual championship rounds will take place on Saturday and Sunday. e-Formula.news will cover the entire race weekend with reports from the track. Which driver will have the biggest reaston for another celebration in the "Eternal City" will be decided from 3 p.m. on each race day.