Lola Yamaha ABT after first Formula E success: "You can't be blinded by Miami"

It was the big sensation at the Miami E-Prix: Lucas di Grassi not only scored the first points for Lola Yamaha ABT, but even finished second after various penalties for competitors. After a disastrous start to the season, which was characterised by technical problems and grid penalties due to the use of new power units, this is the first glimmer of hope for the ABT team, who nevertheless have a long way to go.

"Miami was very, very important for the whole project as far as Lola, Yamaha and ABT are concerned," said team boss Thomas Biermaier when asked by e-Formula.news. "I think we've also earned this because we've worked hard. Of course, it was a bit of luck that we actually made it onto the podium. But even without the penalties, we would have finished in the points under our own steam."

"We know that everything has to go right for us to finish in the points", continued Biermaier. "That is definitely our goal. But we can't be blinded by the second place in Miami. We are realists."

"No surprise that problems arise"

"The break between Jeddah and Miami was incredibly important for us as a team," he admits. "We were able to test and bring in new updates. That will be difficult now: the squad will come home on Monday or Tuesday, then the preparations with the simulator will start. Both drivers are in the simulator for two days each, so there is not much time left for further development."

"The problems we have had, all manufacturers had in season 9," he explains. "It's no surprise when you come in new and have to develop technically at the very highest level that problems arise. We got through a weekend in Miami for the first time, I would say accident-free in terms of hardware and software. We need that, we need a perfect weekend to be able to fight for points."

"It's important to have at least one race every month"

But he is also aware of the negative aspects of the long break between the races in Jeddah and Miami. "If you are sorted out as a team, the break is too long. For us, of course, it was definitely worth its weight in gold. Formula E had not planned it this way, a race in Thailand was planned. I hope that such a long break won't happen again. It's important to have at least one race every month."

"It is very, very important that Yamaha stays on board and is committed to Gen4," he says about the future of the project. "We will also discuss how to proceed in the coming weeks. Our main contact is Lola, we have a good dialogue with them. Everyone knows how we feel about Formula E: We are friends and fans and definitely want to continue."

However, there is still a long way to go before the Gen4 era, which will begin at the end of 2026. Next on the agenda is the Tokyo E-Prix on 17 and 18 May.