P1racenews AI automatic summary:
NEOM McLaren sporting director Gary Paffett says that the team’s new driver pairing of Mattias Ekstrom and Cristina Gutierrez “exceeded expectations” at the Extreme E season opener in Saudi Arabia.…
NEOM McLaren sporting director Gary Paffett praised new driver pairing Mattias Ekstrom and Cristina Gutierrez for exceeding expectations at the Extreme E season opener in Saudi Arabia. Despite persistent mechanical issues during the event, Ekstrom and Gutierrez showcased strong performances, with Ekstrom’s creative driving skills and Gutierrez’s impressive racecraft standing out. The team secured a podium finish on Saturday and a Redemption Race win on Sunday, showing significant progress towards their goal of becoming championship contenders. Paffett acknowledged the challenges faced by the team over the weekend, emphasizing the work needed to address lingering car problems and optimize performance. Ekstrom’s strategic brilliance, as demonstrated by his unconventional moves on track, played a key role in the team’s success, highlighting his value as a driver. Overall, Paffett emphasized the positive direction the team is heading in, with Ekstrom and Gutierrez proving to be valuable assets in their pursuit of excellence in Extreme E competition.
