Mitch Evans secured his fifth podium of the season in an action-packed Marrakesh E-Prix to remain in the ‘top four’ fighting for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Under the scorching desert sun, Mitch Evans lined up sixth on the grid after making it through to the quarter-final stage of the qualifying Duels. In the crucial opening laps of the race, Mitch overtook Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein to move up into fifth position. The Kiwi demonstrated his talent by making a number of decisive overtakes to carve his way through to fourth place. The team carefully managed energy and battery temperatures throughout the race to ensure they could move into the podium position. In the final lap of the Marrakesh E-Prix, the team’s strategy played out and enabled Mitch to make a bold manoeuvre on Jean-Éric Vergne promoting him to the final step of the podium and 15 valuable points.
With the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, Sam Bird lined up thirteenth on the grid after narrowly missing out on the qualifying Duels. Sam battled in the midfield and his patient strategy paid off when he crossed the line in ninth securing more valuable points for himself and the team. Mitch Evans remains fourth in the drivers’ standings, fifteen points behind leader Edoardo Mortara, while Sam Bird is twelfth. Jaguar TCS Racing are fourth in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship teams’ standings with six races remaining.
JAMES BARCLAY, JAGUAR TCS RACING TEAM PRINCIPAL:
Marrakesh once again delivered an intense but exciting race. Incredibly hot temperatures meant we had to really focus on the energy and temperature strategy to ensure we optimised our battery and overall car performance. Another fantastic drive from Mitch and the team ensured we made progress to come home in third position. Any day that you pick up silverware is critical in this world championship fight. Sam also delivered a patient and mature drive today securing an important double-points finish for the team. We now are looking forward to returning to the streets of Brooklyn in just two weeks’ time.
MITCH EVANS JAGUAR TCS RACING DRIVER #9
That was tough race to manage it threw everything at us – battery, thermal and energy wise. Battling a lot with the other guys I lost a bit of ground at the start then made it back. The team guided me really well today. Jean- Éric Vergne struggled towards the end and we picked him off in the final lap. It was hard to manage but we got there – another podium, lots of points and another trophy.
SAM BIRD JAGUAR TCS RACING DRIVER #10
Ninth in Marrakesh is not where I want to be but I am trying my best. Our race pace was good but when you qualify P13 it is difficult to do anything better. I have a great team, we will keep pushing and see what we can do to improve in NYC where I took the win last year. The eleventh and twelfth rounds of the 2022 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship take place on the streets of Brooklyn, New York City on the 16 and 17 July 2022.
