Cupra Kiro team principal O'Hagan on the Formula E season so far: "Promising, but frustrating"

We've already seen ten races in the current Formula E season. At the halfway point of the season, Cupra Kiro team principal Russell O'Hagan took stock in an interview. He also spoke about Monaco, the team's best race weekend so far. He went into detail about the performance of his drivers, Dan Ticktum and Pepe Marti.

Cupra Kiro currently sits in eighth place out of ten in the team standings. Despite some highlights with strong moments, particularly from Ticktum, one cannot shake the feeling that the team continues to lack consistency. Team principal O'Hagan sees it similarly: "It's been a promising, but ultimately a mildly frustrating first half of the season."

"When we came into this year, our objective was to become more consistent and to establish ourselves as regular podium contenders," O'Hagan continued. "We have created a step change in potential internally, and secured two pole positions, one podium finish, and netted points at all but three rounds so far, but with 68 points on the board, it's fair to say our results to date haven't reflected the full extent of our performance capabilities. It's vitally important we find ways to deliver more consistently in the second half of the season and tip the scales in our favour more than we have been."

"Could have performed better in Monaco"

Both pole positions and the team's sole podium finish were achieved a few weeks ago in Monaco. The team had one of its strongest weekends in the Principality. Yet here, too, the thought arises that more could have been achieved. "Monaco was for sure one of our most complete and most competitive weekends of the season thus far," said the team principal about the last race weekend. "But it was still bittersweet in that we could have delivered more. Across the weekend, Dan was exceptional in Qualifying and particularly dominant on Sunday. Unfortunately, the races themselves were a bit more challenging and as a team, we take accountability for not converting our Qualifying pace into stronger results.”

O'Hagan went into more detail about what went wrong for Ticktum in Monaco: "In Race 1 with Dan, we committed to a strategy of leading, knowing it would help increase the probability of a top five finish, but simultaneously understanding it would likely rule out a win. With that inevitable energy deficit, and a slight lack of race pace relative to the others in the top four, we were on the back foot. Unfortunately the contact with Antonio Felix da Costa, and resulting penalty, effectively ended Dan's hopes of strong points."

"Race 2 was similarly difficult for Dan, but in different ways," he continued. "Having experienced the energy impact of leading Race 1, we elected to drop back initially but then lacked race pace to regain positions in a very chaotic race. The opportunity to salvage a few points from a difficult race was lost after Jake Dennis made contact with Dan. As always, there are a lot of contributing factors, but not converting a double pole to any race points is something which we all need to reflect on very pragmatically as unacceptable, and to take the next steps in how we go about our racing."

"Pepe's first podium was only a matter of time"

Formula E rookie Pepe Marti secured his first podium in Monaco. Even before this, the Spaniard had been showing more and more that he is making his mark in the electric racing series. He currently sits 11th in the drivers' standings, ahead of his established team-mate. O'Hagan had this to say about him: “Pepe's podium in Monaco was very important both for him and for us as a team. Pepe - unlike Felipe Drugovich and Joel Eriksson - arrived with no prior Formula E racing experience. The first time he drove a Formula E car was during Pre-Season Testing in Valencia, so every aspect of the championship was completely new to him. With that in mind, we wanted to be realistic and measured with our expectations because Formula E is a nuanced series with a steep learning curve, which is notoriously difficult for rookie drivers."

He has words of praise for his driver: "What has impressed us the most is just how quickly Pepe has adapted. Since the beginning of the season, he's consistently put himself in contention for points, and we felt it was only a matter of time before that approach netted him a podium. Ultimately, it came following Dan's penalty, which made it bittersweet, but equally, Pepe had driven from 15th to fourth on the road. That kind of drive, in Monaco of all places, deserves recognition. I am both really pleased for him and incredibly proud of the team's role in getting him to where he is already. It's been a pleasure to watch."

"We understand Dan's frustration"

Ticktum is currently 14th in the drivers' standings with just 28 points. O'Hagan also spoke about his overall performance: "Dan has performed to a very high level again this season and deserves more than his current points tally reflects. If you look across the opening rounds, there have been several situations where circumstances outside of his control have prevented likely strong results, and based on his outright pace, he could have double to triple the points he currently does. Naturally, with that in mind, frustration can build over time, particularly for a driver like Dan."

"Having taken some time since Monaco to review the season to date, we have two clear takeaways," he continued. "One is to really understand how we are approaching everything holistically with Dan. We are incredibly quick over one lap in all sessions, but falling short of our potential in the races, where the points are awarded. There is just no room for imperfections at the sharp end with the type of racing we have in Formula E."

2nd formal reprimand of the season for Ticktum

"The second point is to ensure Dan's frustrations and energy are harnessed constructively. We understand them, but as a team, we expect everyone to uphold the standards of professionalism, respect and teamwork that are fundamental to how we operate and best perform as an organisation. We have reviewed a number of topics with Dan openly since Monaco and are issuing a second formal reprimand of the season. We will be working together to adopt an improved approach, with more of what we need from him. What is equally important to say is that we also recognise our responsibility as a team to give Dan the platform and support he needs to deliver at his best. He is a hugely talented driver and a very important part of the team." O'Hagan continued.

After Formula E has held several races in Europe over the past few months, the electric racing series is now heading to Asia. The Sanya E-Prix, which takes place in a week's time, marks the start of the series.