- Panasonic Jaguar Racing continues points scoring run at round two of 2019/2020 ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
- British driver James Calado proved his ability to adapt quickly to the series by finishing P7 after qualifying P21
- Mitch Evans finished P18 after fighting for the podium potentially in the early part of the race
- Panasonic Jaguar Racing will return to the track in Santiago on 18 January 2020
In his second ABB FIA Formula E race James Calado showed great racecraft to move through the field and secure his maiden Formula E points. The Brit, who qualified P21 eventually finished in P7 and picked up six valuable championship points during a hectic Diriyah E‑Prix.
In the first lap Calado climbed four places, had to contend with safety cars and frantic restarts but he kept his cool and with post‑race penalties applied he finished P7. This is the second race this weekend Panasonic Jaguar Racing has scored points, proving the British racing team’s potential.
Mitch Evans was set for a top 5 race result, battling competitively on track before an incident with Sam Bird left him with damage, forcing him to pit and also take a penalty. A P6 performance in qualifying put Mitch through to his first Super Pole session of season six. He was fourth quickest but received a penalty for a technical infringement and started P6. In a race to forget Evans took the chequered flag in P18.
Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Diriyah E-Prix - Mitch Evans
Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Diriyah E-Prix - Mitch Evans
Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Diriyah E-Prix - Mitch Evans.
As a team to start the season scoring points in both races is positive. Seeing James score key points in his second ever Formula E race shows his potential this year despite challenging track conditions. We are disappointed Mitch Evans’ Super Pole qualifying result did not convert to the race result we were looking for after a strong start to the race. The benefit of the doubt didn’t go in our favour with the penalty unfortunately and was a shame because we felt that a podium was well within reach today. We will look forward now and with a number of weeks before Santiago we will carry on developing the Jaguar I‑TYPE 4, which we can see has good pace. We will be back next year aiming to secure more points in round three.
James Barclay
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director
I felt like I had the position before I hit the wall and receiving a penalty for a racing incident with Sam [Bird]. I was looking strong after my qualifying performance, but unfortunately, we didn’t capitalise. The penalty we also received in qualifying after putting the car in P4 in Super Pole pushed us down to P6 on the grid and ultimately left us in a more vulnerable starting position during the race. Now it is time to look forward to the next race in Santiago.
Mitch Evans
#20
The championship is very difficult, and I made two critical mistakes before today’s result. I overdrove the car in FP3 which cost me and affected the car’s performance in qualifying, leaving me in a difficult spot on the grid. In the race I made a great start overtaking four cars in the first lap. Generally the pace was good, I capitalised on other drivers’ mistakes and we ended up with valuable points in P7. I’ve learnt a lot in my first Formula E race weekend – more than in testing and the simulator combined – the Jaguar has pace, the team is great and now we look forward to Santiago.
James Calado
#51
Panasonic Jaguar Racing now heads to Santiago, Chile for round three of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship on 18 January 2020.
Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Diriyah E-Prix 2019 - James Calado
Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Diriyah E-Prix - James Calado
