2016/17 Formula E Team Preview: Andretti

The MS Amlin Andretti team has been a crucial member of the Formula E Championship since the inaugural race in Beijing (13th September 2014) where they were entered under name of “Andretti”.

Their first season in the championship was certainly eventful as they claimed four podium finishes, but they also more notably ended up using eight different drivers throughout the season (three more than any other team).

From the eight drivers that raced for the team in the inaugural Formula E season, Jean-Éric Vergne was the most successful driver for the American team as he claimed two of their four podiums (2nd & 3rd) in the nine races he raced for the team.

The two other second-place finishes went to Franck Montagny in the inaugural race, whilst American driver Scott Speed finished second in Miami.

Those podiums and two fourth place finishes helped the team to finish in a rather comfortable and lonely sixth place in the Teams Championship; with Jean-Éric Vergne finishing seventh in the Drivers' Championship.

However the 2015-2016 season turned out to be a tough a season for the Andretti team. Andretti had a torrid time in preseason testing and had to go back to their season one technology. This then instantly putting them on the back foot with only one other team opting to use last seasons technology as well (Team Aguri).

Last year, Andretti signed Simona de Silvestro (the only survivor of the eight) and a rookie driver in Robin Frijns. Frijns singlehandedly pulled Andretti through a tough season as he comprehensively left his slightly more experienced teammate behind, picking up 45 of the teams 49 points.

With his standout performance undoubtedly being his fantastic and determined drive to third place in Putrajaya.

Despite Frijn's performances during last season, the Amlin Andretti team were only able to finish seventh overall, whilst Robin Frijns ended the season 12th overall in the Drivers' Championship.

Heading into season three of the Formula E Championship, MS Amlin Andretti have retained Robin Frijns and paired him up with former Team Aguri driver, Antonio Felix da Costa. In my opinion, the team has created the strongest pairing on the grid for the 2016-2017 season and I think we will see a battle between the drivers that will last all season long.

The team will once again try to run their own powertrain and with this mouth-watering driver line-up (with BMW partnering them starting this season); this could the year that Andretti makes the step up that they really need to.

My prediction for the Andretti team this season is that I really do think that the team will challenge at the front but not straight away. I feel that it could be a few races into the season that they will do this but I expect the team to encounter a few problems along the way; especially with the powertrain.

As for their Constructors championship position; I would say that the Andretti team will end up either fifth or sixth at the end of the season and will have a battle with Mahindra and Dragon Racing all season long.

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa