Jaguar TCS Racing displayed glimpses of speed and strategy at the 2026 Mexico City E-Prix, but a series of incidents prevented the team from translating performance into points. Both Mitch Evans and António Félix da Costa showed promise during the electric city streets of the Mexican capital, demonstrating the competitiveness of their car even in a chaotic race environment.
Evans Leads Early, Momentum Lost in Traffic
Mitch Evans began the race from fourth on the grid after an impressive qualifying session. The New Zealander immediately found himself navigating a dense midfield pack as competitors activated their early ATTACK MODEs, forcing Evans into a defensive opening. His first ATTACK MODE deployment proved decisive, gaining five positions and briefly propelling him into the race lead—a clear demonstration of the car’s potential.
However, a missed second ATTACK MODE, coupled with heavy traffic and rear-end contact, disrupted his strategy. Despite the team adjusting for optimal timing later in the race, Evans was unable to regain lost ground, and a puncture in the closing stages ultimately relegated him to P11.
da Costa Climbs Before Frustrating Setbacks
António Félix da Costa started from tenth but quickly made his way up the order. An early ATTACK MODE saw him rise to P4, showcasing his skill in overtaking and tactical awareness. Unfortunately, contact with Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara, followed by a Full Course Yellow and Safety Car, disrupted his momentum. Steering issues after an off-line excursion into the grass and further contact forced da Costa to retire from the race.
Reflections from the Drivers
Evans acknowledged the mixed emotions of the day: “Today was tough. We had great pace at times and leading the race after ATTACK MODE showed what was possible, but the midfield was incredibly tight and a few things didn’t fall our way. We’ll regroup, learn from it, and come back stronger.”
Da Costa expressed similar frustration but remained optimistic: “It was a frustrating race because we were moving forward well and the car felt strong in the early phases. Being forced to retire due to contact is never how you want to end a race. There were positives in the pace we showed, so we’ll reset and focus on the next one.”
Team Principal Looks Ahead
Ian James, Team Principal of Jaguar TCS Racing, echoed the sentiment of cautious optimism: “While there were definitely positives to take from this weekend, it’s no denying that today was a challenging Round 2 and not the result we were aiming for. We had the pace at moments, and both Mitch and António fought hard, but too many things went against us to turn it into a result. Mitch showed what the car could do when he got to the front in ATTACK MODE, but we couldn’t hold onto it as the race unfolded. António was making great progress before the incidents.”
Looking Forward to Miami
With lessons learned in Mexico City, Jaguar TCS Racing now turns its focus to Round 3 in Miami on 31 January 2026. The team will aim to convert flashes of pace into consistent results on the streets of Florida, hoping to rebound stronger after a weekend that highlighted both their strengths and areas for improvement.
