Break is over: ABT CUPRA is back on the track in Portland

The short early summer break is over: Next weekend (29 and 30 June) Formula E returns to the racetrack. For ABT CUPRA, the two races in Portland, USA, will be about collecting valuable points in the fight for positions in the team ranking. Nico Müller and Lucas di Grassi can expect strategy-driven races with numerous overtaking manoeuvres and a healthy dose of chaos.
 
The 3.190-kilometre circuit in the state of Oregon in the northwest of the United States has not changed since last year’s inaugural race in Portland. The high-speed circuit features long straights and, of course, the typical American layout of the pit lane, which is separated from the garage by a small wall – unique on the Formula E calendar. The races will be 27 laps on Saturday and 26 laps on Sunday. The start is at 14:00 local time (23:00 CEST).
 
The 2024 Formula E season enters its home straight with the Portland event: After that, only the two final races in London (Great Britain) on 20 and 21 July remain on the calendar. In the team standings, ABT CUPRA is ahead of Mahindra Racing and within striking distance of the next position in front.
 
Thomas Biermaier, ABT CEO and Team Principal: “Going all out again”
“It is great to finally be back on the track after a few weeks break. It will be two exciting races with lots of overtakings and different strategies. For our team, the last two weekends of the season are all about positions in the team championship: we want to go all out again and attack.”
 
Nico Müller, #51: “Fans can expect two tactical races”
“Races in the United States always have a special flair, so we’re looking forward to Portland. We have a very fast and flowing track with long straights. The fans can expect two tactical races with lots of slipstream racing. We learned a lot about this type of race last time in Shanghai and we want to use that to our advantage. The goal is to have clean races and score points on both Saturday and Sunday.”
 
Lucas di Grassi, #11: “Get through and score points”
“Portland is a very special track – and not only because the pit lane is typically American. We have the longest straight and the highest top speed on the Formula E calendar, and the slipstream can be up to a second per lap. So we can expect two races characterized by energy management and different strategies – and therefore a lot of chaos. The aim is to get through and score as many points as possible.”
 
Did you know that …
 
…Nico Müller finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans in twelfth place?
 
…Lucas di Grassi won a pro-am tennis tournament in his adopted home of Monaco alongside Italian Susanna Giovanardi?…
 
Formula E has now published its calendar for the coming season? The season kicks off on 7 December in São Paulo, Brazil.
 
… Formula E will start in Miami instead of Portland in 2025?
 
… ABT Sportsline competed as Red Bull Team ABT in the 24 hour race at the Nürburgring the week after Shanghai and finished fifth with a Lamborghini?
 
… Kelvin van der Linde, who stood in for Nico Müller in two Formula E races in Berlin, was also at the start for ABT?
 
… the track in Portland is based on the classic layout of the IndyCar circuit, but will be adapted for Formula E?
 
… Portland is known for its parks and bike paths, as well as its environmental friendliness?