Despite starting the race at the back of the grid in P24, Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans from New Zealand put in a masterclass performance during the ABB FIA Formula E Marrakesh E-Prix.
The Kiwi driver failed to set a time in Qualifying but more than made up for the rough start with a sensational, clean drive through the pack, overtaking 18 cars to finish P6 and achieve the fastest lap of the race. The 25 year-old took home nine points and celebrated his second fastest lap award this season.
Speaking after the race Mitch Evans said; “A massive race. I managed to gain 18 places to finish P6 from the back of the grid and achieve fastest lap so I will take that result with open arms. After an unfortunate qualifying the priority in the race was damage limitation during the E-Prix and a huge thanks for the team for a great strategy in the race. I wanted to send a strong message to the rest of the field and I believe this performance does that.”
The only race in Africa brought less fortune to the other side of the garage, after James Calado scored his best qualifying position of his debut season P10, before a tough second half of the E-Prix saw his Jaguar I-TYPE 4 eventually finish P16.
James said, “Qualifying was good, if a little cautious, starting P10 felt like solid progress and we were only a fraction off getting into Super Pole. I made a good start in the race, gaining a couple of positions in the first lap which is positive. I began to struggle later in the race with the balance of the Jaguar I-TYPE 4 which made it difficult to maintain my minimum speed and affected my energy management. We will investigate why that happened. We need to take the positives from today and look into convert that into points next time.”
Poleman and DS Techeetah driver Antonio Felix da Costa led the way in the opening stages of 2020 Marrakesh E-Prix, followed closely by the man who replaced da Costa at BMW i Andretti Motorsport Max Guenther, in second and Mercedes-Benz EQ’s Nyck de Vries in third.
Later in the race, TAG Heuer Porsche’s Andre Lotterer moved up into third with 28 minutes left on the clock. With Da Costa still leading the way, Guenther followed close behind in second.
Still climbing up the order, Vergne took the place from Lotterer and moved into third, putting his former teammate Andre Lotterer into fourth for the end fo the race.
Well ahead of the battle for second and third da Costa took the chequered flag in first place, claiming DS Techeetah’s debut win in the 2019/20 season. Despite being depleted of all energy, Gunether made it over the line in second with Vergne close on his tail in third.
As we reach the mid-way part of the Formula E season, Mitch Evans currently sits second in the drivers’ championship with Panasonic Jaguar Racing third in the teams’ championship.
Jaguar say that Formula E is a real world test bed to make progress into the future of electrification of their models.
As an official manufacturer team in Formula E, Panasonic Jaguar Racing designs its own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and rear suspension. To control costs the carbon fibre chassis and battery are common components and the same for all twelve teams. This allows the focus to be on developing electric vehicle powertrains which are efficient and lightweight which will improve the performance and range of future Jaguar electric vehicles.
This is the second year teams will be racing with the futuristic Generation 2 race cars. Teams have two race cars, one per driver, which will be used for the full race distance.
Full results here:
