JAGUAR I-PACE eTROPHY MAKES ITS HONG KONG DEBUT WITH LOCAL STAR DARRYL O’YOUNG ANNOUNCED AS JAGUAR VIP DRIVER

27 February 2019

Racing history has already been made in the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY’s inaugural season with two significant milestone moments.

  • Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY – the world’s first international championship for production‑based electric cars returns in Hong Kong for round three of the 10‑race series
  • Katherine Legge made history with her Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY win in Mexico City and leads the series by a single point
  • Darryl O’Young, 38, selected as VIP driver for third Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY race in Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY race takes place on 10 March 2019

The Saudi Arabia eTROPHY race witnessed the first motorsport battle with men and women competing together on track in the inaugural race. Round two saw Katherine Legge become the first female driver to win a race during an ABB FIA Formula E weekend in Mexico.

 

British racing driver, Legge, now sits top of the championship standings as we head into the third round of the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY. Darryl O’Young, Jaguar Racing’s VIP driver will join the grid taking on the streets of the challenging city centre circuit in his first ever electric race.

 

The lights will turn green on Sunday 10 March at 14:00 local time with O’Young looking to secure success on home soil during the official support race to ABB FIA Formula E.

 

The Hong Kong based driver has achieved international success throughout his motorsport career, securing podium finishes at the Le Mans 24 hour and Daytona 24 Hour, as well as taking victory at the Macau Grand Prix no less than five times.

To race on the streets of Hong Kong is something I didn't think would ever be possible, especially driving an electric race car. To accomplish these two things together in one race weekend is very special. I've followed the first couple of races of the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY in Saudi Arabia and Mexico, and the series certainly has strong competition. I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel.

Darryl O’Young
Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY VIP driver

Mexico City was a clockwork race weekend. Again I used less battery than anticipated and we had no issues. It was great to go back to Mexico City after racing there ten years ago. We are very fortunate to be supported by the best team with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and without them we would not be as competitive. I think our performance garnered a lot more attention than we were expecting early on and I think the series will only gain momentum in the future.

Katherine Legge
Current leader of the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY series

We started very well in Mexico with a P1 in the practice, but qualifying taught us a lesson that we cannot rest. The track conditions changed a lot and we qualified in P7. After qualifying we understood the need to change the car for the race. Unfortunately it was not enough. We have improved, but the American team was still a bit faster in Mexico. The fight for the leadership is close and we want take first position in the Asia races.

Sergio Jiminez
Jaguar Brazil Racing driver

I thought the Mexico City race was nearly perfect. The team had a great result and we were able to put good points in the bank. I felt like qualifying was hugely important to our result and Katherine and I made good decisions, along with our crew on when to go out and try and do the lap. The Jaguar I‑PACE racecars performed great throughout the race. We were incredibly fortunate to miss out on the accidents behind us. The Mexico City fans were extremely accommodating and the podium allowed us to integrate with the fans and share such a special moment with all of them. I think the fan involvement and interest is increasing and I think RLL’s involvement is building awareness. The results we produced in Mexico City certainly got some great feedback. It really motivates you to try and make sure the success continues.

Bryan Sellers
Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver

It is an honour to be leading the Pro‑Am category after two races. I had a good race with my team mate in Mexico and we are preparing hard for the two races in Asia in March. Hopefully we can continue our winning streak and score more points.

Bandar Alesayi
Mexico City PRO AM winner

Lin Qi, who made his debut in Mexico City, will continue driving for Team China in Hong Kong eTROPHY race as Wang Tao has prior commitments.

Driver

Driver flag

Team

Car number

Darryl O’Young

Chinese

Jaguar VIP car

1

Katherine Legge

Great Britain

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

3

Bryan Sellers

USA

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

6

Cacá Bueno

Brazil

Jaguar Brazil Racing

0

Sérgio Jimenez

Brazil

Jaguar Brazil Racing

10

Célia Martin

France

Viessman Jaguar eTROPHY Team Germany

7

Lin Qi

China

Team China

8

Yaqi Zhang

China

Team China

9

Simon Evans

New Zealand

Team Asia New Zealand

99

Ahmed Bin Khanen

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Racing

24

Bandar Alesayi

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Racing

12

Stefan Rzadzinski

Canada

TWR TECHEETAH

18

Further information

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

Tel: + 44 (0) 7384 532 605

Email: ehogg2@jaguarlandrover.com

 

Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Jaguar Racing

Tel:  +44 (0) 7979 554 005

Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com

Notes to Editors

After becoming the first premium manufacturer to enter the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in 2016, Jaguar has now created the world’s first production battery electric vehicle race series – the Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY.

The history‑making championship is the official support race to the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, with up to 20 cars taking to the grid from season five onwards.

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 ‘Race to Innovate’ mission.

Championship partners include official tyre supplier Michelin, official charging partner ABB, technical partner Sabelt, official clothing supplier One All Sports, official racewear supplier Alpine Stars and official logistics partner DHL.