ROKiT Venturi Racing driver Edoardo Mortara will start the season opener in 12th place after a 'game ending' crash during qualifying in Diriyah. We catch up with the title hopeful ahead of the first race of Season 8 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
"Qualifying didn't go really well, as you can see," says ROKiT Venturi Racing driver Edoardo Mortara, moments after stepping out of his car, which ended up in the wall after Turn 1 during qualifying.
With all 22 drivers and 11 teams having to get to grips with a brand new format, the Swiss driver came unstuck during his final flying lap in Group B, early into the qualifying session.
"Hopefully there's not that much [damage done to the car]. Sometimes it happens, we lost the rear in Turn 1 unfortunately, under braking and it was game over.
"It's a shame because we were actually quite competitive during the free practice but there is an entire race in front, so hopefully we can have a good race.
"It's not easy - [the track] is very slippery - but it's the same for everyone. There is a very high level in this championship and we need to keep the cars on track and do a good job."
The championship hopeful - who ended Season 7 in third after a devastating crash with Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans on the startline - will be looking for a strong start to his championship campaign in the race later today. With little time to repair the car, Mortara's chances of a good start to Season 8 are under threat.