NEOM McLaren drivers looking to shine in ‘home’ Formula E double-header in Riyadh

RIYADH: NEOM McLaren Formula E drivers Rene Rast and Jake Hughes are relishing the opportunity of racing at this weekend’s CORE Diriyah E-Prix double-header, hoping to make Saudi Arabia proud in NEOM’s “home” races.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Riyadh for Rounds 2 and 3 of Season 9 on Friday and Saturday with Rast and Hughes to put on strong performances at the night races.

It will be the first time the drivers and the team will be competing in Saudi Arabia since NEOM’s strategic partnership with McLaren to become the title partner of the McLaren Formula E teams.

During a virtual media roundtable with regional media, Rast, of Germany, who returned to Formula E for Season 9 after racing in Season 6 and 7, said: “Diriyah is one of my favorite tracks and provides some good overtaking but also very challenging where you can’t make any mistakes.

“We have only been in Saudi Arabia for a few days but we visited the place and I am really impressed with the facilities in NEOM and what they are doing. Given its partnership, this race makes it more special and I hope we can do well and hope there’s a lot of support for McLaren this week.”

His team-mate Hughes, who competed in Formula 2 and was a reserve and development driver during Seasons 7 and 8 with the Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, is eager for a good performance.

He said: “It’s my first time racing this season and lot of drivers have spoken highly of the track so I’m really looking forward to it. As a team, we have two ‘home’ races given McLaren is a British team. We know there will be a lot of guests coming from NEOM to watch the races and their support as well the crowd’s will be really good. Hopefully we can entertain them and win them some