Matthew Brabham was left to reflect on a missed opportunity to score points in the third round of the all electric FIA Formula E Championship in Uruguay.
The grandson of three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham had been on course to finish sixth when suspension failure forced him into retirement four laps from the end.
Brabham, who was summoned as a late replacement for regular Andretti driver Franck Montagny at Punta del Este, produced an impressive drive to sixth having started from the back of the grid following a crash in qualifying.
However, a mistake at the chicane saw him run over the kerbs breaking his front suspension, ending any hope of securing points.
Although disappointed, the 20-year-old says he has learnt valuable lessons from both the experience and the opportunity to work alongside former Toro Rosso F1 driver Jean-Eric Vergne, who joined Andretti for this weekend’s race.
“It was extremely disappointing not to get a result today through all of the hard work by the Andretti Formula-E team, I’m heartbroken, but happy with he speed, the team and the promise we showed,” said Brabham.
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“Having to start from the rear was tough, but it was an exciting race and from where I was, it was so enjoyable for me to be racing against guys like Trulli and Sarrazin.
“Their experience shows through in where they can place the car and how they defend their position – which I managed to learn a lot from.
“It was a huge thing for me to be racing those guys so intensely.
“Working with Jean-Eric was a great experience as well, he’s a great guy.
“I learnt a lot from sharing a garage with him and observing his level of professionalism and approach to racing, I was also able to assist him with some of the information he needed about these Formula E cars.”
The FIA Formula E Championship continues with a visit to Argentina on January 10.
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