"Race control wants to set an example" - Müller analyses upward trend & Bird accident at Formula E in Berlin

Andretti driver Nico Müller is on the upswing as far as his form is concerned. At the "double-header" in Berlin, he was able to finish in the points on Saturday. On race Sunday, for the first time since he started driving for Andretti, he made it into the duel phase of qualifying. In the race, however, there was an unfortunate incident with McLaren driver Sam Bird, for which Müller was penalised. Although the Swiss driver cannot understand the decision, in an interview with e-Formula.news he is nevertheless positive about the upward trend in an important phase of the season for him.

Müller seems to be feeling more and more comfortable with Andretti. What has been evident for several races has now finally been demonstrated in qualifying: On Sunday, he qualified for the duels for the first time this season. He moved up to 6th place on the grid due to the penalty of Oliver Rowland, who was later crowned world champion. "In terms of performance, it went quite well. Since Jakarta we have found something that allows me to get a lot more performance out of the car. I feel more comfortable. The race performance has always been good, but now it has also worked better in qualifying", he explains.

Duel participation "not particularly earth-shattering"

However, the 33-year-old is unimpressed by the fact that he made it to the duel stage: "It's not earth-shattering, I have to be honest. Last year I was allowed to do it relatively regularly, so I know how it feels. This year it was often very close. It is what it is - this format is tough. It's certainly good that we were able to tick it off this weekend (by taking part in the duel), but that's about it."

Due to the wet conditions, both Andretti drivers were only moderately competitive on the previous day. Müller started from 13th place and was at least able to work his way forwards a little during the race. In the end, he scored four points with 8th place. Things turned out differently on Sunday, as the race took place in dry conditions. A "peloton race" was therefore on the cards: "Today was brutally chaotic. Yesterday we were not quite fast enough in the wet. But in the morning we made good steps."

Accident with Bird: "Small contact with big consequences"

However, he only finished the Sunday race in 17th place. The reason for this was a previous accident with McLaren driver Sam Bird: "It was as usual in the races with a lot of coasting - you try to be as efficient as possible. Because of the layout of the track, you never really know what the driver in front of you is doing. He went into turn 2 for a late move. I personally wouldn't have done that, but he tried it. There was a very slight contact with major consequences", Müller analyses the accident.

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The safety car then had to enter the track to recover Bird's car, which meant the end of the race for him. Müller was able to continue, but had to pit to change the wheel. He later received a 10-second penalty for the contact, which ultimately dropped him to 17th place. "I think race control wanted to make an example of me here - now I have to pay for it. I accept that, but I think we have seen completely different scenes in the past for which there were no penalties."

Nonetheless, he thinks of his fellow driver Bird, who was unable to continue: "I feel sorry for him. Nobody wants the race to be over after a small contact like that."

As Müller hints, his future in Formula E is not yet clear. Will he continue with Andretti in season 12? "I don't know yet. We have no stress about that. In any case, I feel more and more comfortable with the car and working in the team race after race. You can clearly see an upward trend." The upturn has definitely come at the right time in Müller, and he should try to keep it up for the final weekend in London. After all, there is still a chance for Andretti to finish 6th in the teams' championship. Mahindra is currently 17 points ahead of the US Americans. The last "double-header" of the season takes place on 26 and 27 July.