Mitch Evans Propels Jaguar TCS Racing to Podium in Portland Formula E World Championship
Pretoria, South Africa, 1 July 2024: In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans clinched a third-place podium finish in the 14th round of the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Portland. This achievement propels him to second place in the drivers’ standings, heightening the team’s championship aspirations.
Despite a challenging weekend marked by intense competition and multiple incidents, Jaguar TCS Racing showcased their prowess. Nick Cassidy, despite facing setbacks, retained his lead in the Drivers’ Championship with a 12-point margin. Meanwhile, the team continues to dominate the Teams’ World Championship, holding a 33-point lead with just two rounds remaining.
Race Highlights and Team Performance:
The weekend kicked off with strong performances, including a Pole position in R12 and a podium in R13. However, R14 saw both Jaguar drivers adopting strategic energy conservation early on. Evans fluctuated within the top ten, while Cassidy tactically dropped back. By mid-race, both were well-positioned on energy, with Cassidy emerging as one of the strongest contenders.
A critical moment came on lap 13 when Cassidy’s front wing was damaged in a concertina incident at Turn 1, necessitating a pit stop. This setback saw him finishing outside the points in 13th place despite his significant energy advantage.
Evans, however, leveraged a safety car period on lap 18 to his advantage. After the race restart on lap 20, he activated Attack Mode from P6, swiftly advancing through the field to secure a third-place finish.
Quotes from the Team:
James Barclay, Managing Director, JLR Motorsport and Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal: “This weekend has been a tale of two halves. While it’s gratifying to see Mitch on the podium after our team’s hard work, we know we had the potential for even greater success. Unfortunate incidents, both within and beyond our control, hindered us. As always, we’ll learn from this and come back stronger. We’re now focusing on the season finale in London, where we aim to secure the Teams’ World Championship and support our drivers in their quest for the title.”
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing driver, #9: “Today’s race was intensely challenging but rewarding. Navigating through aggressive competition and strategically managing Attack Mode were crucial. While I hoped to move to the front faster, securing a podium was a solid outcome. Now, all eyes are on London, where we’ll give our all to clinch the Teams’ World Championship.”
Nick Cassidy, Jaguar TCS Racing driver, #37: “Despite today’s frustrations, I remain optimistic. The contact incident was unfortunate, but I’m still leading the championship. London is one of my favorite tracks, and I’m ready for the fight ahead.”
Looking Ahead:
Jaguar TCS Racing now turns its focus to the season finale double-header in London on 20/21 July. With strong positions in both the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships, the team is poised for an exciting and potentially victorious conclusion to the season.
