‘It was really crazy’ – Goethe reacts to double overtake after finishing fifth in Sakhir Sprint

12 April 2025

Oliver Goethe produced a stellar drive going from P15 on the grid to fifth at the chequered flag in the Sakhir Sprint Race, thanks to an inspired strategy call and an incredible double overtake.

The MP Motorsport driver went around the outside of Jak Crawford and Gabriele Minì at Turn 12 on Lap 20 of 23, putting him up to P11.

This gave him the chance to climb up the order in the final three laps, helping him make several more overtakes in that period on his way to ending up fifth.

SPRINT RACE: Martí charges through for Sakhir Sprint victory

Goethe was put into this position thanks to an inspired strategy. The German was down in P16 when the Safety Car came out, with the marshals needing to clear the stricken TRIDENT of Max Esterson.

MP used the chance to pit Goethe, putting him on a set of Softs for the final portion of the race, and into a position to fly through the field.

Speaking in the paddock after the race, Goethe reflected on the overtake, the decision to pit and the result.

Goethe stated the race on the Prime tyres before making the late switch to the Options

“It was a crazy end to the race with fresher Option tyres,” he said. “There was limited time left, so you had to make the moves quickly. In the high speed, I really felt the difference of grip, so I went around the outside of T12.

“I had more grip, and it was tight because we were three-wide, but I had to make that move to be able to continue fighting forwards.

“Crawford and Minì were fighting like crazy, so I really just wanted to get past them quickly and get away because they were doing all sorts, locking up, contact, so it was really crazy. I'm glad I managed to make it past, and then I could move forward after that.”

Part of what made the overtake memorable was that Goethe made slight contact with Crawford, who also collided with Minì. All three were able to continue, but the MP driver admitted he thought his race was run.

“When I got the contact, I was like ‘this is over now,’” he said. “I managed to save it, but there were so many tight moments with other drivers, but I managed to keep it clean in the end. Luckily, I didn't get a puncture, and we could continue fighting for it.”

On the decision to start on the Prime tyres before switching to the Options, Goethe says it was all part of the plan, even if there was a tiny bit of luck involved.

Goethe says he and MP can take a lot of confidence from their performance in the Sprint Race

“That was the plan from the start,” said Goethe. “On the prime tyres, we knew it was probably going to be a slower tyre. I still did a good stint on the prime. Incidentally there were other drivers on the prime as well, so I managed to be the first out of the guys on the Hards.

“This allowed me to come out first on the fresh Options. If there was a Safety Car a bit earlier, it would have been even more beneficial, but we still got lucky with the Safety Car.

“Luck comes back to you at points because Melbourne was not the luckiest weekend for me, so I am glad to get some points on the board now.”

Looking ahead to the Feature Race, Goethe says MP can take plenty of confidence from the Sprint. Not only did he finish in P5, but his teammate Richard Verschoor ended up second.

“It definitely brings the confidence,” said Goethe. “Not just the passes at the end, but the stint on Prime tyres was still decent compared to others on prime.

“So, I feel like we have a good pace. Richard was quick as well, so I think the car is good enough to fight into the points in the Feature Race.”