PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING CELEBRATE BEST FORMULA E SEASON

14 July 2019

Panasonic Jaguar Racing suffered a disappointing end to a positive season at a hot and humid season five finale in Brooklyn, New York City. Mitch Evans suffered a collision with Lucas di Grassi in the final lap – dropping from P6 to P17.

  • British team achieve their season objectives with three podiums, five Super Pole appearances and first victory
  • Round 13 the season finale of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship in New York
  • Alex Lynn made up five places to finish P16
  • Mitch Evans had a collision with Lucas Di Grassi on the final lap, finishing P17 narrowly missing out on a championship podium finish
  • Evans finishes fifth in driver standings; Panasonic Jaguar Racing finish seventh in team standings
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday

Panasonic Jaguar Racing suffered a disappointing end to a positive season at a hot and humid season five finale in Brooklyn, New York City. Mitch Evans suffered a collision with Lucas di Grassi in the final lap – dropping from P6 to P17.

Alex Lynn succeeded in bringing his Jaguar I‑TYPE 3 over the line in P16, despite lining up on the grid in P21, and having to serve a drive‑through penalty in the opening lap for a motor change.

Mitch’s podium on Saturday kept his title ambitions alive until the last race of season five. He faced a difficult challenge running in qualifying group one. The Kiwi lined up on the grid in P8, but robust defending from Daniel Abt delivered limited overtaking opportunities.

Alex continued to demonstrate excellent pace throughout the weekend, but a problem in qualifying meant that the British driver would start at the back of the grid.

Mitch finishes the season fifth in the driver standings – just three points off di Grassi in third, while Panasonic Jaguar Racing finish seventh in the team standings.

I tried my best and gave it everything today. Obviously, when you are heading into the final race with a chance of finishing the season in first, or more realistically, second place, it’s disappointing to end up finishing fifth. I knew I needed pole to really have a crack at taking the championship today, so to miss out by half a tenth was a real shame, and that’s what cost me the championship. We’ve made great progress as a team – particularly in the second half of the season – so we should all be really proud. The guys have given me a great racecar in the I‑TYPE 3, and we’ve shown great pace, so I’m grateful for that.

Mitch Evans
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Driver

Saturday’s race made our lives very difficult in two ways; firstly, not finishing yesterday, but also the grid penalty for the motor change. We had strong pace, but unfortunately the race didn’t open up for us as much as it could have done, which restricted our progress up the field. To finish P12 under the circumstances was something, but I felt we deserved more given our pace throughout the weekend. I want to thank everyone at Panasonic Jaguar Racing – we’ve some good races, some that didn’t quite come off, but I’ve had a great second‑half of the season with the team. I’ve really enjoyed it.

Alex Lynn
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Driver

I’m incredibly proud of everything Panasonic Jaguar Racing have achieved this season. We’ve had three podium finishes – and our first win in Rome – which is testament to the hard work of all the team. Fighting for the championship up until the last race of the season shows the progress we’ve made. Although it was ultimately frustrating, we gave it our best shot today.

The team have created a fantastic racecar with the Jaguar I‑TYPE 3 and it has shown great speed and efficiency during the season. Season five has been important as we’ve learned to win as a team and run at the front of the championship.

I would like to thank Mitch and Alex who have really worked well together and brought success to the team. We are also grateful to all our partners and fans who support us in Formula E. The work for season six has already begun. It will be the toughest season yet but that motivates us and makes us even hungrier for more success.

James Barclay
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday
Season 5, New York E-Prix, Sunday

Further information

For supporting assets please visit: www.media.jaguar.com 

Panasonic Jaguar Racing Social Media Channels:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JaguarRacing
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JaguarRacing
Instagram: www.instagram.com/JaguarRacing
 
For further details please contact:
 
Victoria Monk  |  Media Officer |  Panasonic Jaguar Racing
E: victoria.monk@jaguarracing.com  | T: +44 (0) 7392 106 923

Adrian Atkinson  |  Global PR Manager |  Panasonic Jaguar Racing
E: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com  | T: +44 (0) 7979 554 005

Notes to Editors

EDITORS’ NOTES
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.

ABB Formula E unveiled earlier this year the Generation 2 racecars. Teams will now have one racecar per driver, and no longer be required to make the mandatory car swap.

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 including Riyadh, Hong Kong, Sanya, Monaco, Rome, Paris and ending in a double‑header weekend in New York.