Guenther: 'Maiden pole an amazing feeling'

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Guenther: 'Maiden pole an amazing feeling'

Maximilian Guenther of Maserati MSG Racing has finally broken his curse of always just missing out on the Julius Baer Pole Position, as he starts from the first place grid slot for the Gulavit 2023 Jakarta E-Prix.

Guenther, who has topped every session he’s taken part in over the race weekend so far, has truly dominated this Jakarta track so far and achieved more amazing statistics for the Maserati MSG Racing team.

“It feels great,” Guenther began when discussing his first career pole with Formula E after qualifying. “I’ve had a few front rows now, so for this to be the first time on pole position is an amazing feeling. Great for the three championship points and to have this position for today.”

The 25-year-old German has started on the second row five times from his 60 Formula E starts, but never made it to this converted first place grid slot until this morning.

“You can see me sweating,” he added, with track temperatures continuing to soar in the hot Indonesian sun. “It's quite hot out there but I had a good feeling all day so far. Even yesterday, you know, we had smooth sessions and we were just building it up.

“This year, it's a lot more about energy management, more than ever I think in Formula E. So you have to play it smart. You have to see a bit how the race is unfolding. For sure it's good to be in the front. Tyres are also an important factor in these conditions.” 

It’s been a tough start to the season for Maserati, despite Guenther going quickest in five of the seven sessions in pre-season testing. After failing to score many points, the team’s luck changed in Berlin when Guenther found himself finishing on the podium in front of his home fans.

“Definitely the momentum of the team has changed already. A few races ago at the podium in Berlin we scored some good points there. Monaco was a great day, we just couldn't finish the race, unfortunately. But this weekend is just continuing in good shape.”

Maserati’s last world championship single-seater pole as a team was Juan-Manuel Fangio at the 1958 Argentine GP in Formula 1, with their last as a powertrain provider being John Surtees at the 1966 Mexican GP. 

There’s no denying that Maximilian Guenther and Maserati are making motorsport history together.