"To be honest, we didn't react in the right way" - Why McLaren couldn't keep up with Nissan at Formula E in Mexico

McLaren is still in second place in the Formula E teams' championship thanks to Taylor Barnard's surprise podium in Sao Paulo. So on paper, everything looks right, but the Nissan customer team has actually had a pace deficit compared to its own works team on both race weekends of the season so far. But why?

Oliver Rowland fought for victory in the season opener in Brazil and finally won in Mexico City. The three other Nissan-powered drivers - Norman Nato (13th), Taylor Barnard (14th after penalty) and Sam Bird (18th after penalty) - all came away empty-handed. Is Rowland just that good? Yes. But McLaren team principal Ian James also admits that the poor result in Mexico had other reasons besides the two penalties.

"We really struggled to capitalise on the pace that we inherently have. The weather overnight caught us out, and to be honest, we didn't react in the right way to the changing track conditions, putting ourselves on the backfoot," said the Briton. It had rained in Mexico before Saturday, which is why the grip conditions had changed.

McLaren did not manage to find the right set-up for its cars in time. This had a particular impact on qualifying for Barnard, who was competing in Group A. "Despite being able to react in time for Sam, he was desperately unlucky in qualifying to get blocked, otherwise I think he would have easily made it through to the duels and the race would have seen a very different outcome."

James: "Have to avoid compromising our performance"

Barnard at least was satisfied with the race: "After qualifying nineteenth, we managed to finish in the points, with a P10 and the fastest lap of the race, which was the goal going into the race. Obviously, I then received a post-race penalty which sadly pushed me out of the points, which is a shame."

Teammate Bird also had to accept a time penalty in the race for causing a collision with Edo Mortara. Earlier in qualifying, he had been blocked by Nyck de Vries, which prompted him to make a few harsh statements in the Dutchman's direction. McLaren left Mexico frustrated and without points.

"We have to take a hard look at how we avoid compromising our performance, and we need to ensure that both drivers are in a position to score strong points," sums up James. The next opportunity for "Papaya" will come on 14 and 15 February at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix.