‘I had goosebumps’ – Max recounts his landmark podium in Berlin

Good things come to those who wait, and it’s been a whole week since Maximilian Günther made history in Berlin.

The young German displayed a clinical performance on home turf, and with a drive defined by expert precision, he was the author of the definitive highlight of our season so far.

His thrilling podium on Saturday signed, sealed, and delivered an emotionally-charged third-place as the entire Maserati MSG Racing team celebrated together in one voice.

It all started in Friday practice, and when Max set the third-fastest lap time in the 30-minute session, he knew that a good result could be up for grabs.

“I had a really, really good feeling in the car from FP1 onwards,” recounts Max, who scored the fifth podium of his Formula E career in Berlin.

“The Gen3 is a new car for us, it’s a new car for everyone, and you naturally have a steep learning curve to learn how to extract the potential of the package.

“We were moving in a good direction in the races before Berlin, and even before we got to the track, I was feeling good and positive and behind the wheel, it was the best I’ve felt all season.

“That’s why I told the guys after practice, regardless of the position we classified, that I was feeling good and that there was a lot of potential to build on during the weekend.”

After Max qualified eighth on the grid during qualifying, Saturday’s 40-lap thriller in Berlin set a new standard for Formula E.

The race was marked by a 190 overtakes, including a record-breaking 23 lead changes, and it all came down to one thing: Energy management.

“I was expecting less slipstreaming in comparison to São Paulo, but because the FIA introduced a big energy reduction, it became more of a factor,” Max explains.

“The energy in Berlin was extremely sensitive and, in that scenario, you have to be super strategic in order to get the best result.

“Honestly, Saturday’s race was one of the most difficult races I’ve ever driven, just because of how tactical we had to be.

“After a good qualifying we had a fantastic start and I made up four places in the first corner and then we were straight in the mix.

“From there, it was about getting more energy than the opposition and to do that, you had to be very, very calm inside the car, even though emotions are running high with all of the overtaking lap after lap.

“It was important to read the race, read how it was unfolding, and even hide from the others and be like a ghost by biding time. That’s what happened.

“I took the lead for a few laps, I took Attack Mode early to avoid losing track position at a later stage, and it was all about setting it up to be in the right position at the end.

“At that stage, you can’t pre-plan – you need to follow your instinct as a driver and that’s why I enjoyed the race.”

By following his instincts, Max placed himself in the perfect position to contend for a place on the podium. He explains, however, that this began long before the race’s close.

“My run to the podium began with seven or eight laps to go,” he says. “At that point I had 1.5% less energy than the cars in front and the best thing to do in that scenario is to focus on driving efficiently.

“Although I had less energy, I was able to stay with the cars in front, and this stint was probably our strongest.

“With three laps to go, we were nearly level on energy with the others and then in the final one or two laps, we were on the same.

“I saw Sam [Bird], Mitch [Evans] and Seb [Buemi] fighting ahead, and then I realised that a podium was up for grabs. They were fighting hard, and I wanted to position myself smart in case something happened in front.”

At this stage of Race One’s final lap melee, everything was up for grabs. And with a spectacular final lap, Max drove home to a sensational first podium of the season.

“From Turn Seven onwards I knew there might be a chance, but due to the tyre degradation, it becomes more risky to make an overtake.

“Seb covered the inside in Turn Nine, and initially I wanted to dive up the inside of Turn 10 but again he protected it.

“I knew I had some energy left so I sent it to the outside instead. We were very close at the exit, and it became a drag race.

“He had the tighter line to the chequered flag so initially I was a bit afraid, but I had the better exit and made the overtake in the final metres of the race. Crossing the line was a huge feeling.”

By taking home third place, Max became the first driver since Juan Manuel Fangio in 1957 to finish on a World Championship single-seater podium for the Maserati brand, breaking a 65-year streak.

“I had goosebumps when I was told this after the podium, and I have them a second time talking about it now. It’s an amazing feeling, and this makes me really proud,” says Max, smiling at the memory.

“I’m proud to be a part of the team’s place in history and hitting this milestone was very, very special.

“It was a special moment three years ago when I won my home race, but one thing was missing – the fans. I had always wanted to know what it feels like to be on the podium, at home, in front of my fans.

“Comparing these two moments, Saturday’s race was much more memorable and emotional than that win in 2020.

“Already before the race you see the fans in the autograph session, and then in the grandstands, and then to see them on the podium, holding banners with your name on, it’s a feeling that can’t be described.

“My fans are extremely important to me, and it means a lot that I can give something back to them. That weekend is something that I’m going to remember forever.”