Talking exclusively to Fastest Formula News at the Berlin E-Prix, Jake Dennis revealed how his current season resembled a “rollercoaster.” After race one of the Berlin E-Prix, Dennis talked to us again, explaining his unfortunate start.
“Just moving on [and] accept what happened” after a bad result
Looking back to his race in Jakarta, Dennis revealed that there is not much he can do to reset. As an experienced driver, Dennis is “just moving on” after a bad race. Because he cannot change the past, and needed to “accept what happened.” Though the Andretti driver did not have a good season, he was ready to “go this weekend.”
“There’s no real plan, you know. I think when you get to this level in your career, you’re generally quite good at just moving on from bad days and switching over to the next race, and that’s exactly what I’ve done, you know. You just accept what happened and move on from it. So yeah, I’m ready to go this weekend.”
Dennis hopeful for the weekend as he aims for a podium
While he had mixed results in Berlin the last few seasons, the Brit is hopeful for a good weekend. He told FFN that he and the team need to build consistency and aim for a podium. Dennis added, that he is ready to be on the top step for the first time this year. As he hoped for a good weekend at Berlin E-Prix. Though, the forecasted weather conditions won’t make this weekend an easy one.
“Try and build a bit of consistency, try and get on the podium again would be great after Monaco. Yeah, I really want to try and also get my first win if possible as well for the year. So yeah, they’re really the goals, I would say. But yeah, hopefully we can just have a clean weekend. It’s never easy with mixed conditions like it’s going to be, so hopefully we can have a strong one.”
Performance should put them in “top three [or] top four in the championship”
Dennis does know how it feels to be on top at the end. As he was the World Champion only two years ago. Even though he did not have the best season. He revealed to us that “hard work, good personnel [and] good driving” are the key points to get back to that level of performance. With mixed results throughout the whole year, this season “has been a bit of a rollercoaster” for the Brit. Including retirements and failures.
“Just hard work, good personnel, good driving from my side is really the three main things. I think we’re slowly building back towards that level. As mentioned, this year has been a little bit of a rollercoaster in terms of results, a bit of bad luck with retirements and failures.”
Dennis admitted that he and the team “should be top three, top four in the championship.” Without having to work that hard for it. As the performance of the car is there. Giving them the opportunity to move “in the right direction.”
“But, nevertheless, I think from our performance side, we should be top three, top four in the championship quite comfortably. But yeah, due to the issues that have happened, it’s not quite worked out like that. But I think we’re moving in the right direction.”
Starting issues at the Berlin E-Prix were “a little shame”
Dennis was hopeful after his pole in Jakarta. His pace in the first Qualifying in Berlin did not show the same performance. Starting on P9, Dennis faced some technical issues directly at the start. As he could not start to drive away from his grid position, with no power to use.
“Yeah, absolutely. I think we had a really good race car and qualifying car in Jakarta. We’ve always had a pretty good car there, to be fair. We’ve always been on the front row. Every year we’ve gone. And yeah, we just need to continue to build on that. Here this weekend is a very different track, very different surface, weather. So yeah, it would be nice if it’s dry, but I’m pretty sure it’s wet.”
Dennis admitted that it was “a little shame” to not have the chance to start the Berlin E-Prix. When FFN asked if the technical issue will hinder him for the next race, Dennis revealed, “hopefully not.” Though they were unsure if they will get a “penalty for fixing whatever has failed”, Dennis described his year as “unlucky.”
“Yeah, we just had a technical failure inside of the car, which meant we had no power. So, yeah, very short race, really not too much learning to be had. Yeah, a little shame.”
“Hopefully not. We need to see if we take a penalty for fixing whatever has failed. We’re still TBC and won’t be sort of arranged until later tonight. But yeah, it is what it is. It’s not really my year. It’s been very unlucky this year.”
