"I'm still finding out how to race. It's a different game here in Formula E," said Techeetah's Andre Lotterer, still coming to terms with his first podium following an eventful race on the streets of Santiago.
At the age of 36, Lotterer is one of the most experienced drivers in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, with no less than three Le Mans 24 Hour wins to his name, 15 seasons in Super Formula - Japan's top single-seater category - and time testing and as a driver in Formula One. So, with all that behind him, why has it taken four rounds for the German driver to make it to the podium?
"Mentally it is very, very challenging," he admitted in an interview before the season opener in Hong Kong last year. "I have been really spoiled," he added, commenting on his time driving LMP1 cars at the sharp end of endurance racing. Joining Techeetah, Lotterer was arguably disadvantaged from the moment he signed on the dotted line with the privateer team. As a customer of reigning champions Renault e.dams, Techeetah doesn't get 15 days of testing like other manufacturer teams. Instead, the fresh-faced Formula E driver had to make do with just three days in the car during pre-season testing in Valencia, alongside simulator work. A steep learning curve indeed considering his first race in Hong Kong marked the end of a 17-year absence from street-circuit racing for the Belgium born driver.
Unsurprisingly, Lotterer's all-electric street racing career didn't get off to the best start. Failing to finish in both round one in Hong Kong and round three in Marrakesh, Lotterer's best place finish before round four in Santiago was a point-less 13th. "It's the most challenging thing I have done, because there is nothing like it," said Lotterer in the wake of his first outing in Hong Kong. Powerful words considering he's endured the gruelling Le Mans 24 Hour race nine times and clinched victory in three of them.
But it was on the streets of Santiago that Lotterer's true talent appeared to miraculously break through. Placing first in Qualifying, the Techeetah rookie was straight through to Super Pole, accompanied by teammate Jean-Eric Vergne. With a strong start, all looked well for the German driver until he clipped the barrier on Turn 1 and smashed into the sidewall. With his front wing trailing under the wheels, he limped back across the finish line, placing him in third for the start of the race.
The rookie's form continued well into the race, with the two Techeetah cars in first and second for the majority of the second half of the race - Lotterer determined to close the gap between him and his teammate. But it wasn't until the final laps of the race that the German increased the pressure, launching an attack on JEV with the top step of the podium clearly in mind.
"Some people say these cars are not that quick but believe me, when you're driving in between these concrete walls, it feels just as quick as Le Mans, or anything I've ever driven," said Lotterer, clearly relieved to have put an end to his spell of misfortune and earn his first points in Formula E. "The brain is working overtime," he added. "Driving in the cities and in between the walls is the best thing about this championship. You can't make any mistakes here."
Round five in Mexico City will be another test for Lotterer but also for Techeetah as it looks to distance itself in the standings from the competition - Mahindra Racing is just two points behind the Chinese privateer team in second, with Virgin Racing in third, 20 points off the leaders. But Lotterer still has a long road ahead of him. Currently sitting ninth in the standings with 18 points, the rookie is a long way from his teammate and current championship leader Jean-Eric Vergne with 71 points.
While it may have taken four rounds, Lotterer's rise has been well worth the wait considering his performance in Santiago. Adding another, entirely different and challenging motorsport series to his repertoire has clearly taken some getting used to but the German driver appears to have finally cracked it. Mastering it is another matter altogether, however. For that, we'll have to wait and see.