P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Cupra Kiro Team Principal Alex Hui has praised the “quality” of the Porsche powertrain, as the team adapts to being a customer for the German marque after many years of being a standalone manufacturer.
The team, previously known as China Racing and now under an American license, has recently undergone its sixth rebranding with significant ownership expansion by The Forest Road Company and the Powerhouse Investor Group, which includes actor Idris Elba. One major change has been the shift from being an OEM to a customer operation, aligning with Porsche for their powertrain. This change has already shown promise, with driver Dan Ticktum securing eighth place in the opening round in São Paulo. Despite a non-points finish in Mexico, Ticktum’s new teammate David Beckmann showed strong performance throughout the race. Team principal Hui noted the adjustments in operation as a customer team, emphasizing the benefits of partnering with manufacturers like Porsche for a high-quality package. The addition of Beckmann from Porsche’s reserves highlights the strong relationship between the two teams and underlines Beckmann’s preparedness for Formula E. Ticktum, known for his candid nature, is regarded as a popular figure but may need to step up his performance in the current season.
