POSITIVE DEBUT FOR BLOMQVIST AS EVANS CONTINUES FIGHT FOR RUNNERS-UP SPOT

12 August 2020

Round 10 of the 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E season six finale saw a promising debut for ‘super-sub’ Tom Blomqvist who made his race debut for Panasonic Jaguar Racing. Team-mate and friend Mitch Evans secured another points finish to keep his bid alive for a valuable runners-up position.

  • Mitch Evans finishes P7, secures six points and moves to P4 in the drivers’ standings, 12 points from P2
  • Super Pole debut for Tom Blomqvist on his first qualifying session for Panasonic Jaguar Racing who ran in the points for most of the race
  • One race remains in 2019/20 Formula E season and finale at Berlin Tempelhof

Briton Tom, who replaced James Calado for the final two races, impressed with the fifth fastest time in qualifying to secure a place in Super Pole. He lined up P6 on the grid and was in a points scoring position before falling back to P12.

Mitch Evans continued to be disadvantaged by being in Qualifying Group 1 and would eventually line-up P13 on the grid. With the field merging even closer after four races in Berlin the later groups benefitted from the better, grippier track conditions which comes from more running. The Kiwi fought well in the middle of the pack to move up six places and crossed the line P7. He secured six points and moves to P4 in the drivers’ standings just eleven points behind Oliver Rowland who won today’s race.

With one race of the 2019/20 season remaining the British team will now concentrate on trying to maximise the opportunities for Evans in his fight for the runners-up places.

A great job by Tom today on his first day in the Jaguar I-TYPE 4. It was always going to be tough to jump in for the last two races but he has done everything we expected. To go straight into Super Pole, considering he only sat in the car for the first time this morning, was very impressive and will give him confidence for the final race day tomorrow. Mitch did the best he could from Group 1 and again drove a very mature and effective race to come through the pack and finish with more solid points. With Mitch being in Group 1 qualifying for all races here in Berlin it is proving to be a significant disadvantage and it is only getting harder as the field merges closer in terms of speed and overall performance. Mitch has made great forward progress in all races but the format has really restricted our ability to fight for podiums which is frustrating. We are always pushing forward as a team though and are going to give it our all tomorrow to end this season on a high, try to fight for a podium and optimise our championship positions as best we can.

James Barclay
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director

I’m pleased we have made progress but these races have been tough for us. Most drivers in Group 1 have struggled to qualify inside the top 10. Today’s race was pretty similar perhaps one of the cleanest but you have to get your elbows out so it is not easy. Our race pace is strong but you are still out of position. The championship places are so tight but our eyes are set on P2. It will be an entertaining race to watch tomorrow.

Mitch Evans
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Driver #20

When I look back at the day as a whole I have to be happy. If you’d told me that I would make it into Super Pole and finish P12 I would have taken it. There is some slight disappointment that I dropped back but I always knew the race would be the most challenging part. Thank you to the team for this opportunity. It has been a bit of a scramble to get here but hopefully we can have another good day tomorrow and maybe some points.

Tom Blomqvist
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Driver #51

Further information

For further information about Panasonic Jaguar Racing, please contact:

Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Jaguar Racing

Tel: +44 (0) 7979 554005

Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.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 PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING

Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E Championship street racing series. In 2019 the team won the Rome E-Prix – Jaguar’s first international motorsport victory since 1991.

Formula E is a real world test bed for Jaguar to make fearless progress in the future of electrification.

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 Land Rover electric vehicles.

This is the second year teams will be racing with the futuristic Generation 2 racecars. Teams have two racecars, one per driver, which will be used for the full race distance.

Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. The championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world’s major cities.