- Panasonic Jaguar Racing record best ever qualification for the team in ABB FIA Formula E
- Mitch Evans continues impressive qualifying form starting the race from the front row
- The 2017/18 season draws to a close on Sunday with the second race of the weekend
David Gandy and Mitch Evans at the New York City E-Prix
New York City, USA, Saturday 14 July – Panasonic Jaguar Racing look forward to the final race of the 2017/18 ABB FIA Formula E championship determined to turn the team’s potential into a strong end of season performance.
On day one of the double‑header in Red Hook, Brooklyn Mitch Evans and Nelson Piquet Jr delivered the team’s best qualification result. Mitch once again showed both his ability and the speed of his Jaguar I‑TYPE 2 as he qualified on the front row of the grid starting second. Nelson Piquet Jr was unlucky not to feature in Superpole qualifying in sixth. Having both drivers start the race in the top six demonstrates how far Panasonic Jaguar Racing have improved compared to the team’s first year in the championship.
Both drivers encountered technical issues during the race leading to the team’s first double retirement of the season. Mitch was unable to get off the start line with a suspected driveshaft issue. Nelson was fighting for a podium position having made up places in the early stages. Following a quick car change he was forced to retire after losing too much time with an issue which is currently being investigated by the team.
The British team aim to close out the season with a strong race on Sunday and will be looking to claim vital Team Championship points.
James Barclay, Team Director, Panasonic Jaguar Racing: “Our best ever qualifying with second and sixth for Mitch and Nelson respectively and really positive to start on the front row of the grid for the second race in a row. Going into tomorrow hopefully we can continue to show our speed. It was a real shame not to turn our strong starting positions into points but we know we have good pace and our focus is to convert this tomorrow.”
Mitch Evans, #20: “The set up of the car felt good and qualification went well with a front row. Unfortunately we retired from the race early but the good thing about this weekend is we have another race tomorrow so we’ll try to finish the season on a high.”
Nelson Piquet Jr, #3: “We were running fourth and had a chance to catch the top three before we had to retire. It’s the last race of the season tomorrow so we’ll try again and hope to be at the front of the field.”
The second FanBoost of the week opens at 23:00 BST on Saturday 14 July and closes 21:10 BST on Sunday 15 July.
Tweet your boost using #MitchEvans or #NelsonPiquetJr and #FanBoost, or visit: http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/
Further information
For further information about Panasonic Jaguar Racing, please contact:
Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Email: aatkins5@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.
Jaguar’s Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar and Land Rover road cars and is designed around the team’s founding principle, ‘Race to Innovate’.
Manufacturers can design their own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and rear suspension. Common components across all teams to control costs include the carbon fibre chassis and battery. The focus is on developing electric vehicle powertrains.
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 ending in a double header in New York. All track action including practice, qualifying and racing takes place in a single day.
