SÉRGIO JIMENEZ RETURNS TO DEFEND JAGUAR I-PACE eTROPHY TITLE

1 November 2019

  • Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY inaugural champion returns alongside Jaguar Brazil Racing team-mate Cacá Bueno
  • Alice Powell returns to the series following successful VIP seat in season one
  • Saudi Racing introduce two new drivers
  • Yaqi Zhang returns to Jaguar China Racing line-up with new team-mate Sun Chao
  • Sanya confirmed as latest venue to host eTROPHY race with full calendar finalised

01 November 2019, Whitley, UK: Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY inaugural champion, Sérgio Jimenez, will return to the series to defend his title which starts later this month in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on 22 and 23 November. The ten round series has also announced the addition of Sanya, China on 21 March 2020 to confirm the season two calendar.

Following four one-two finishes last season, Jaguar Brazil Racing are looking to build on their success with an unchanged line up of Jimenez and fellow Brazilian, Cacá Bueno.

I am very happy to be back for season two along with Cacá. We worked well together last season and we want to continue that success for the team. The changes to the car and of course ATTACK MODE will mean the races are much more exciting and I can’t wait for the season to start.

Sérgio Jimenez
Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY champion

It feels good to be returning to the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY. After a competitive finish to last season, I am looking forward to racing and challenging to become the next champion, I have a tough challenge ahead, but I look forward to a great season with an improved car. ATTACK MODE will make the racing more exhilarating and I’m looking forward to it.

Cacá Bueno
Jaguar Brazil I-PACE eTROPHY Driver
Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Car

After an impressive drive in the VIP car at the opening weekend of season one, Alice Powell joins the line up for season two with Jaguar ran racing eTROPHY Team Germany. Following a successful third place finish in the recent W Series, the Brit returns to the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY looking to add to her recent run of success.

I really enjoyed my first experience of electric racing in Saudi Arabia last year and it’s great to be back. I followed the first season from afar after my cameo, but I’m now here to win!

Alice Powell
Jaguar Germany I-PACE eTROPHY Driver
Season 2, Alice Powell, eTROPHY Team Germany

Saudi Racing has revealed that Fahad Algosaibi and Mashhur Bal Hejaila will be its new drivers for the upcoming series. Saudi Racing hopes these dynamic and accomplished drivers will build on the success of Bandar Alesayi last season .

Fahad Algosaibi has a long history in racing, extending back to 2009. The 26-year-old has raced in six seasons of the Porsche GT3 Challenge Middle East and in 2015, he came third in the 24H Dubai 997 race.

Algosaibi’s teammate, Mashhur Bal Hejaila, has an equally impressive racing career. He competed in the Formula Gulf 1000 series for two seasons, with third overall in 2015 and fourth in 2016.  

I am extremely excited to be representing Saudi Racing in the upcoming eTROPHY series and we are very excited to have the first races in Saudi. There is going to be a lot of pressure as some of the drivers have raced in the previous season and we have a lot of catching up to do, but it is going to be fun. It has been extremely valuable having time to test the cars this week in the UK and to get used to them. There are a lot of features we aren’t used to like ATTACK MODE, so it is great to have the opportunity to do this before our first race in Diriyah.

Fahad Algosaibi
Jaguar Saudi Arabia I-PACE eTROPHY Driver

The opportunity to race in the eTROPHY series is an honour and I am thrilled to be representing Saudi Racing. Fahad and I have raced a lot in Dubai and Abu Dhabi but never in Saudi so this is great news for us. The car has exceeded my expectations in testing this week. I have raced formula cars before, but this is my first time driving an electric racing car. It feels really good to push myself and the I-PACE to the limit.

Mashhur Bal Hejaila
Jaguar Saudi Arabia I-PACE eTROPHY Driver
Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Car

Team China Racing also return to the grid with Yaqi Zhang and new driver Sun Chao. Yaqi secured eight podium finishes last season in the PRO-AM category and will look to build on his success over the next 10 races.

I am looking forward to returning for season two of the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY to build on my podium finishes from last season. I am confident that Sun and I will form a strong partnership, bringing podiums and wins for the team.

Yaqi Zhang
Jaguar China I-PACE eTROPHY Driver

I am very pleased to be joining the Jaguar China Racing team this season partnering with Yaqi. I am looking forward to the first race in Saudi, and our home race in Sanya in March.

Sun Chao
Jaguar China I-PACE eTROPHY Driver
Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Cars

I would like to warmly welcome all the drivers – both returning and new – to the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY. Following a successful testing event in Bedford this week, we are confident that this grid line up will provide exciting racing and a challenge for podium finishes. As we approach the start of season 2, these drivers’ skills and expertise are an asset to the series. I am sure these drivers will perform brilliantly throughout the season and I wish them the best of luck.

Mark Turner
Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Series Manager

More drivers joining the eTROPHY grid will be announced soon.

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY has applied some changes to the series to make it even more electrifying in season two. This includes implementing ATTACK MODE which provides a 20% increase in power for a specified duration. With the success of ATTACK MODE in Formula E, eTROPHY aims to replicate this by injecting more excitement and competition to the races.

**Calendar change**

The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY has confirmed round four of the series in Sanya, China on 21 March 2020.

Confirmed season two calendar below.

Season 2 Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Calendar

Further information

For further information about Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, please contact:

 

Emma White, Media Officer, Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Tel: + 44 (0) 7384 438 643

Email: emma.white@jaguarracing.com

 

Emily Hogg, Global Brand and Partnerships Officer, Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY

Tel: + 44 (0) 7384 532 605

Email: ehogg2@jaguarlandrover.com

Notes to Editors

ABOUT JAGUAR I-PACE eTROPHY

After becoming the first premium manufacturer to enter the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in 2016, Jaguar created the world’s first all-electric touring car race series for a production car – the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.

Exclusively featuring Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY racecars, the all-electric series gives drivers of the future and established racers a chance to showcase their talent, competing on the world stage in zero-emissions motorsport. After making history in the inaugural season, the groundbreaking series will see up to 20 identical Jaguar I-PACE battery electric racecars on the grid in 10 races, across eight global cities.

New for season two is the introduction of ATTACK MODE providing an extra 20% in torque and power for a specified duration (defined at race) providing increased race strategy and additional overtaking opportunities.

The series supports the launch of the Jaguar I-PACE, Jaguar’s first battery electric vehicle, and reinforces Jaguar Land Rover’s future electrification strategy, commitment to electric street racing and the team’s mission of ‘Fearless Progress’.

Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY partners include official tyre supplier Michelin, official charging partner ABB, technical partner Sabelt, official clothing supplier One All Sports, official racewear supplier Alpinestars and official logistics partner DHL.