Maximilian Günther Explained

Maximilian Günther
Nationality: German
Birth Date:2 July 1997
Birth Place:Oberstdorf, Germany
Racing Licence: FIA Platinum
Current Series:FIA Formula E Championship
First Year:2018–19
Car Number:7
Former Teams:GEOX Dragon, BMW i Andretti Motorsport, Nissan e.dams, Maserati MSG Racing
Starts:72
Wins:5
Podiums:9
Poles:2
Fastest Laps:1
Best Finish:7th
Year:2022–23
Last Finish:8th (73 pts)
Prev Series:

ADAC Formel Masters
Formula BMW
Prev Series Years:
201517
201314
2011

Maximilian Günther (born 2 July 1997) is a German-Austrian racing driver currently competing in Formula E for DS Penske. Günther has previously driven in Formula 2 with BWT Arden and for Dragon Racing, BMW i Andretti, Nissan e.dams and Maserati MSG Racing. in Formula E. He achieved his first win in Formula E at the 2020 Santiago ePrix.

Junior racing career

Born in Oberstdorf, Günther began his racing career in karting in 2007. He remained in karting until 2010. In 2011, Günther competed in open-wheel racing, in Formula BMW Talent Cup.In 2013, Günther competed in ADAC Formel Masters from ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V., he ended the season second. In 2014, he also finished second.In 2015, Günther débuted in the European Formula 3 with kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport.

FIA Formula 2 Championship

Günther made his Formula 2 debut in with Arden.,[1] partnering Nirei Fukuzumi, who graduated from GP3. He scored his maiden podium in only his second race and went on to claim his first F2 victory in the Silverstone sprint race. For the final round of the season in Abu Dhabi, he was replaced by Red Bull junior driver Dan Ticktum.

Formula E

Dragon (2018–2019)

2018–19 season

Günther joined the Dragon Racing team as test and reserve driver, participating in the Marrakesh rookie test in 2018 and pre-season testing for season five. After Jerome d'Ambrosio departed to move to Mahindra Racing,[2] Günther was promoted to a race seat and made his debut in the Ad Diriyah E-Prix in December 2018.[3] He was replaced by Felipe Nasr after the Santiago ePrix.[4] However, Günther returned to the team for the Rome ePrix, and he completed the season with the team.[5] He scored his first points in Formula E with a 5th-place finish at the Paris ePrix.[6] He finished 5th again at the Swiss ePrix, meaning that he finished his rookie season 17th in the Drivers' Championship.[7]

BMW i Andretti Motorsport (2019–2021)

2019–20 season

For the 2019–20 season, Günther was signed to race for BMW i Andretti Motorsport after Antonio Felix da Costa moved to reigning champion team DS Techeetah.[8] The second race of the season in Diriyah saw Günther take a maiden podium in second place behind teammate Alexander Sims, but was demoted to 11th after passing Lucas di Grassi under safety car conditions.[9] At the next race in Santiago, Günther claimed his maiden Formula E victory after a last lap pass on da Costa.[10] He finished second at the Marrakesh ePrix after starting second on the grid.[11] He won his home race at the Berlin ePrix after starting second.[12] He finished the season with three points finishes, all of which were podium finishes.

2020–21 season

Günther was retained by BMW for the following season.[13] He won the New York City ePrix, taking advantage of a collision between Jean-Éric Vergne and Nick Cassidy.[14]

Nissan e.dams (2022)

2021–22 season

Günther moved to Nissan e.dams for the 2021–22 season.[15] His first points for the team at the Mexico City ePrix would prove to be a red herring, as the German struggled to finish close to teammate Sébastien Buemi throughout the races.[16] The second and final top-ten finish of his campaign would come at the London ePrix, during a weekend where a collision with Nick Cassidy earned Günther critical comments from the New Zealander.[17] Günther ended the season 19th in the standings, having scored just six points.[18]

Maserati MSG Racing (2023–2024)

2022–23 season

Günther switched to Maserati MSG Racing for the 2022–23 season, partnering Edoardo Mortara in a seat vacated by Nyck de Vries' decision to switch to the AlphaTauri team in F1.[19] [20] His campaign started out disappointingly, as an eleventh place in Mexico City was followed by a crash in qualifying for the first race in Diriyah, after which the car could not be repaired in time for the race.[21] Günther failed to score points until the Berlin ePrix, where a last-corner overtake on Sébastien Buemi earned him a place on the rostrum.[22] He finished sixth the following day, having started from 21st, before retiring at Monaco as a result of a collision with Dan Ticktum.[23] [24] In Jakarta, the German experienced his best Formula E weekend to date, scoring pole for both races, finishing third on Saturday ahead of a dominant win on Sunday, Maserati's first in single-seater competition since the 1957 German Grand Prix.[25] [26] He took one further podium in Rome and ended the year seventh in the championship.[27]

2023–24 season

Günther remained with Maserati MSG Racing for the 2023–24 season alongside a new teammate, Formula 2 driver Jehan Daruvala who replaces Edoardo Mortara who went over to Mahindra.[28] He scored a victory at the 2024 Tokyo ePrix.

After two successful seasons with the team, Günther departed Maserati at the end of the season.[29]

DS Penske (2024–)

2024–25 season

FIA World Endurance Championship

In 2022 Günther drove an endurance racing car for the first time, driving the Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar during the post-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit.[30]

Personal life

Günther currently resides in Monaco. He holds dual German and Austrian nationality. In addition to his native German, Günther also speaks English, French, and Spanish.[31]

Racing record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2007Southern German ADAC Kart Cup — Bambini AEbert Motorsport2nd
ADAC Kart Masters — Bambini A2nd
2008ADAC Kart Masters — Bambini AEbert Motorsport7th
2009ADAC Kart Masters — Bambini AValier Racing11th
2010ADAC Kart Masters — KF31st
Werner-Grossevollmer-Memory-ThrophyRS Motorsport10th
German Karting Championship — Junior6th
Monaco Kart Cup — KF316th

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2011Formula BMW Talent CupBMW Motorsport1720214?2nd
2013ADAC Formel MastersADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.24282112402nd
2014ADAC Formel MastersADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.24454102622nd
2015FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipMücke Motorsport2710021508th
Prema Powerteam30000
2016FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipPrema Powerteam30474133202nd
Macau Grand Prix10000N/ADNF
Formula OneMercedes AMG Petronas F1 TeamSimulator driver
2017FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipPrema Powerteam30532163833rd
Macau Grand Prix10000N/A5th
Formula OneMercedes AMG Petronas MotorsportSimulator driver
2018FIA Formula 2 ChampionshipBWT Arden2210024114th
2018–19Formula EGEOX Dragon1000002017th
2019–20Formula EBMW i Andretti Motorsport112003699th
2020–21Formula EBMW i Andretti Motorsport1510016616th
2021–22Formula ENissan e.dams160000619th
2022–23Formula EMaserati MSG Racing1612041017th
2023–24Formula EMaserati MSG Racing161002738th

Complete ADAC Formel Masters results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeam123456789101112131415161718192021222324DCPoints
2013nowrapADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.OSC
1

OSC
2

OSC
3

SPA
1

SPA
2

SPA
3

SAC
1

SAC
2

SAC
3

NÜR
1

NÜR
2

NÜR
3

RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

LAU
1

LAU
2

LAU
3

SVK
1

SVK
2

SVK
3

HOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

2nd240
2014nowrapADAC Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.OSC
1

OSC
2

OSC
3

ZAN
1

ZAN
2

ZAN
3

LAU
1

LAU
2

LAU
3

RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

SVK
1

SVK
2

SVK
3

NÜR
1

NÜR
2

NÜR
3

SAC
1

SAC
2

SAC
3

HOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

2nd262

Complete FIA Formula 3 European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngine123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233DCPoints
2015nowrapkfzteile24 Mücke MotorsportMercedesSIL
1

SIL
2

SIL
3

HOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

PAU
1

PAU
2

PAU
3

MNZ
1

MNZ
2

MNZ
3

SPA
1

SPA
2

SPA
3

NOR
1

NOR
2

NOR
3

ZAN
1

ZAN
2

ZAN
3

RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

ALG
1

ALG
2

ALG
3

NÜR
1
NÜR
2
NÜR
3
8th150
nowrapPrema PowerteamHOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

2016nowrapPrema PowerteamMercedesLEC
1

LEC
2

LEC
3

HUN
1

HUN
2

HUN
3

PAU
1

PAU
2

PAU
3

RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

NOR
1

NOR
2

NOR
3

ZAN
1

ZAN
2

ZAN
3

SPA
1

SPA
2

SPA
3

NÜR
1

NÜR
2

NÜR
3

IMO
1

IMO
2

IMO
3

HOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

2nd320
2017nowrapPrema PowerteamMercedesSIL
1

SIL
2

SIL
3

MNZ
1

MNZ
2

MNZ
3

PAU
1

PAU
2

PAU
3

HUN
1

HUN
2

HUN
3

NOR
1

NOR
2

NOR
3

SPA
1

SPA
2

SPA
3

ZAN
1

ZAN
2

ZAN
3

NÜR
1

NÜR
2

NÜR
3

RBR
1

RBR
2

RBR
3

HOC
1

HOC
2

HOC
3

3rd383

Complete Macau Grand Prix results

YearTeamCarQualifyingQuali RaceMain race
2016 Prema PowerteamDallara F3127thDNFDNF
2017 Prema PowerteamDallara F3174th4th5th

Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)

Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete Formula E results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearTeamChassisPowertrain12345678910111213141516PosPoints
nowrap2018–19nowrapGEOX DragonnowrapSpark SRT05enowrapPenske EV-3ADR
MRK
SCL
MEXHKGSYXRME
PAR
MCO
BER
BRN
NYC
NYC
17th20
nowrap2019–20nowrapBMW i Andretti MotorsportnowrapSpark SRT05enowrapBMW iFE.20DIR
DIR
SCL
MEX
MRK
BER
BER
BER
BER
BER
BER
9th69
nowrap2020–21nowrapBMW i Andretti MotorsportnowrapSpark SRT05enowrapBMW iFE.21DIR
DIR
RME
RME
VLC
VLC
MCO
PUE
PUE
NYC
NYC
LDN
LDN
BER
BER
16th66
nowrap2021–22nowrapNissan e.damsnowrapSpark SRT05enowrapNissan IM03DRH
DRH
MEX
RME
RME
MCO
BER
BER
JAK
MRK
NYC
NYC
LDN
LDN
SEO
SEO
19th6
nowrap2022–23nowrapMaserati MSG RacingnowrapFormula E Gen3nowrapMaserati Tipo FolgoreMEX
DRH
DRH
HYD
CAP
SAP
BER
BER
MCO
JAK
JAK
POR
RME
RME
LDN
LDN
7th101
nowrap2023–24nowrapMaserati MSG RacingnowrapFormula E Gen3nowrapMaserati Tipo FolgoreMEX
DRH
DRH
SAP
TOK
MIS
MIS
MCO
BER
BER
SHA
SHA
POR
POR
LDN
LDN
8th73
Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Notes and References

  1. News: Kalinauckas. Alex. Mercedes DTM junior Gunther seals 2018 F2 graduation with Arden. 14 February 2018. Autosport. Motorsport Network. 13 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180214023919/https://www.autosport.com/f2/news/134355/f3-frontrunner-gunther-gets-arden-f2-seat. 14 February 2018. live.
  2. News: Smith. Topher. Mahindra Racing announces d'Ambrosio and Wehrlein. 13 November 2018. e-racing.net. 16 October 2018.
  3. News: Hilda. Noor Amylia. Günther to partner López at Dragon Racing. 13 November 2018. e-racing.net. 12 November 2018.
  4. Web site: Felipe Nasr replaces Gunther at Geox Dragon ahead of Mexico . 2022-04-20 . FIA Formula E . es-ES .
  5. Web site: Maximilian Gunther returns to FE to replace Nasr at Dragon in Rome . 2022-04-20 . www.autosport.com . en.
  6. Web site: Administrator . admin . 2019-04-27 . Top 5 finish and ten points for Maximilian Günther at the ABB FIA Formula E in Paris after another strong performance . 2022-04-20 . Max Günther . en-US.
  7. Web site: Administrator . admin . 2019-06-24 . Top-5-finish for Maximilian Günther at the ABB FIA Formula E in Bern after a strong performance . 2022-04-20 . Max Günther . en-US.
  8. Web site: Administrator . admin . 2019-09-09 . Maximilian Günther to race with BMW i Andretti Motorsport in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as a factory driver . 2022-04-20 . Max Günther . en-US.
  9. News: Smith. Topher. Günther loses maiden podium following safety car infringement. 23 November 2019. Downforce Radio. 23 November 2019.
  10. News: Smith. Topher. Günther fights his way to maiden victory in Santiago thriller. 18 January 2020. Downforce Radio. 18 January 2020.
  11. Web site: Administrator . admin . 2020-02-29 . Second place for Maximilian Günther at the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Marrakesh . 2022-04-20 . Max Günther . en-US.
  12. Web site: Administrator . admin . 2020-08-08 . Victory for Maximilian Günther at his home race of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Berlin . 2022-04-20 . Max Günther . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2020-08-19 . Günther to remain with BMW i Andretti Motorsport for Season 7 . 2022-04-20 . Motorsport Week . en-GB.
  14. Web site: Administrator . admin . 2021-07-11 . First win of the season for Maximilian Günther in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in New York City . 2022-04-20 . Max Günther . en-US.
  15. Web site: Guenther joins Nissan e.dams for 2022 FE season . 2022-04-20 . www.autosport.com . en.
  16. Web site: 2022-02-13 . Double top 10 finish for Nissan e.dams in Mexico City . 2022-04-20 . Official Global Newsroom . en.
  17. Web site: Cassidy furious with "Mr Desperados" Gunther's London Formula E contact . 2023-02-09 . www.autosport.com . en.
  18. Web site: 2022-08-15 . Every full-time 2022 Formula E driver ranked . 2023-02-09 . The Race . en-GB.
  19. Web site: Maserati MSG Racing confirms Mortara and Guenther for Season 9 . 2022-11-04 . www.fiaformulae.com . en.
  20. Web site: 2022-11-03 . Guenther gets Maserati Formula E seat that was for De Vries . 2023-02-09 . The Race . en-GB.
  21. Web site: Quali shunts put paid to Maserati qualifying and Guenther's race . 2023-01-28 . The Official Home of Formula E . en .
  22. Web site: Formel E Berlin 1: Günther bei Jaguar-Doppelsieg auf dem Podium . 2024-01-02 . Motorsport-Total.com . de.
  23. Web site: Formel E: Nick Cassidy gewinnt Berlin-Rennen am Sonntag, Protestaktion verzögert Start - e-Formel.de . 2024-01-02 . e-formel.de.
  24. Web site: 2023-05-06 . Ticktum vs Guenther in Monaco Formula E's messiest incident . 2024-01-02 . The Race . en.
  25. Web site: Lienert . Allgäuer Maximilian Günther ist der Formel-E-König von Jakarta . 2024-01-02 . Allgäuer Zeitung . de.
  26. Web site: 2023-06-13 . Max Gunther cherishing Jakarta E-Prix win ahead of Portland race . 2024-01-02 . Arab News . en.
  27. Web site: 2023-07-21 . Gunther’s fine form continues with home podium for Maserati . 2024-01-03 . Motorsport Week . en-GB.
  28. Web site: Maserati MSG Racing Sign Jehan Daruvala Alongside Maximilian Guenther. 27 September 2023. 27 September 2023. The Official Home of Formula E.. en.
  29. Web site: Daruvala and Guenther to depart Maserati MSG Racing. 26 July 2024. 27 July 2024. The Official Home of Formula E.. en.
  30. Web site: Thukral. Rachit. Vandoorne, Gunther to drive Peugeot hypercar in Bahrain test. 4 November 2022. 16 November 2022. Motorsport.com.
  31. Web site: MaxG. German. Max Günther official website.