Max Günther's challenge to "strongest team-mate" Jean-Eric Vergne: "I also know about my qualities"

After switching from Maserati MSG to DS Penske, Maximilian Günther can once again expect a strong team-mate at his new racing team: Jean-Eric Vergne is the only Formula E double champion to date and is one of the most successful drivers in the electric series in many statistics. The experienced driver has also helped shape the DS team for years. Nevertheless, Günther's goal is clear: to beat "JEV" in all areas.

Vergne has been active in the series since the third Formula E race, the 2014 Punta del Este E-Prix, almost ten years ago. The now 34-year-old has contested the second most races (130) after Lucas di Grassi and scored the most points of all drivers. In terms of podium finishes, only di Grassi is also ahead of him. Regarding pole positions, however, there is no one better than the Frenchman. Vergne's quality is undisputed, even though he has lost out to a team-mate three times in his ten seasons so far: to Sam Bird (Virgin) in season 2 and twice to Antonio Felix da Costa (DS Techeetah) in seasons 6 and 7.

Günther has also had to deal with some strong team-mates in his career, including Jake Dennis (BMW), Sebastien Buemi (Nissan) and Edo Mortara (Maserati). While he lost to the first two on points, he was able to beat Mortara - as well as Jose Maria Lopez (Dragon), Alexander Sims (BMW) and Jehan Daruvala (Maserati). Now another champion awaits him in his own garage. Is Vergne his strongest team-mate to date?

"I would say so, yes," Günther tells e-Formula.news exclusively. "His success speaks for itself - he is the only double champion in the series. But I also know about my qualities," says the German, referring to his previous successes in Formula E. Günther already has five E-Prix victories to his name. Most recently, he won in Tokyo and clearly had the upper hand with Maserati for two years.

DS Penske is proud to announce that @maxg_official will be joining our team for the upcoming Formula E season. With Maximilian's exceptional talent and experience, we're confident this partnership will drive us towards new achievements!#DSPENSKE#dsperformance#abbformulae pic.twitter.com/XSnxIO7fdy

- DS PENSKE FORMULA E TEAM (@ds_penske_fe) September 5, 2024

In qualifying, however, Vergne is in a class of his own. Last season, he was the third-best qualifier in Formula E with an average grid position of 5.9 and won bronze at the e-Formula.news Season Awards 2024. Günther has only ever been on pole position twice, but has also recently impressed in the time trials and shown clear progress.

"The goal as a racer is always to be the best in all areas"

"The goal as a racing driver is always to be the best in all areas - both in qualifying and in the race," he clarifies. He also says that he now knows what is important in Formula E: "I'm still one of the younger drivers (27 years old), but it's also my seventh year in the championship. I have a lot of experience and feel ready for this next step."

"There is a lot of respect on both sides," he says, emphasising his good relationship with Vergne: "We have a lot of respect for each other. JEV and I have had many really good, respectful fights in the past, in which we have battled for victories and podium places." He is probably referring to the thrilling Marrakesh E-Prix 2020, when Günther finished second on the podium ahead of Vergne.

"I believe we can form a very strong duo and hopefully achieve great success. I'm really looking forward to spending time with him as a team-mate," says Günther. A first internal team assessment awaits the duo during pre-season testing in Valencia at the beginning of November. From 7th December, Günther will be able to show whether he can take on Vergne in a direct duel. The eleventh Formula E season will then start in Sao Paulo.