Edoardo Mortara goes into the New York City E-Prix double header this weekend on top of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship standings after a podium and a win in the Puebla E-Prix three weeks ago.
The ROKiT Venturi Racing driver took a third place in race one in Mexico before coming through to take victory in race two, with the points earned seeing him move ten points clear of Robin Frijns at the head of the standings.
Mortara says he is looking to carry the momentum from Puebla into this weekend’s races around the Brooklyn Street Circuit, and the confidence and motivation of the team has never been higher as they look to continue their strong form in New York.
“Following on from my double podium and win in Puebla, I can’t wait to get back out on the track in New York City this weekend,” said Mortara. “The Brooklyn Street Circuit is a track that I enjoy and it has a good mixture of corner types which can be good for overtaking.
“As the championship leader, we expect tough races starting from Group 1 in qualifying so performing well will be crucial to setting up my weekend, especially in Race 1.
“As a team, our confidence and motivation has never been higher which is an advantage heading into the final races of the season.”
“The goal for me is to be fighting with the front runners” – Norman Nato
Team-mate Norman Nato will be racing in New York for the first time, and he is excited by the prospect of racing around the streets of Brooklyn this weekend.
Nato has shown flashes of pace during the season but has been often let down by bad luck, with the Frenchman sitting only twenty-third in the championship standings after the opening nine races.
The only experience of the Brooklyn Street Circuit for Nato has come from the teams’ simulator, and he will be using practice to get a proper understanding of the venue before the first Qualifying session of the weekend on Saturday.
With Nato running in group 4 in that first Qualifying session, he has high ambitions to be fighting at the front of the field this weekend and scoring points for only the second time this season.
“Another race weekend means another new track for me as a rookie, and I’m very excited to race in New York City for the first time,” said Nato. “After driving the circuit on the simulator, I quite like the track on the whole and it has a nice mix of low, medium, high-speed corners.
“Turns 1, 6 and 10 will be key overtaking opportunities in the race and Turn 14 will also be really exciting, especially in qualifying because it requires you to attack with a lot of commitment to maximise lap time.
“As soon as practice gets underway, I’ll be pushing from the outset and the goal for me is to be fighting with the front runners.”
Norman Nato is aiming for points in both New York City E-Prixs – Credit: Sam Bagnall / LAT Images