- Mitch Evans climbed an incredible 18 places during the ABB FIA Formula E Marrakesh E‑Prix, crossing the line P6
- The New Zealand driver also celebrates the fastest lap of the race, scoring nine points for the British team
- James Calado started P10 but finished the E‑Prix P16 after a difficult second half of the race
- Mitch Evans now sits second in the drivers’ championship only 11 points off P1
Despite starting the race at the back of the grid in P24, Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans put in a masterclass performance during the ABB FIA Formula E Marrakesh E‑Prix overtaking 18 cars to finish P6 and achieve the fastest lap of the race.
On leap year day, the 25 year‑old took home nine points and celebrated his second fastest lap award this season.
The only race in Africa brought less fortune to the other side of the garage after James Calado scored his best qualifying position of his debut season P10, before a tough second half of the E‑Prix saw his Jaguar I‑TYPE 4 eventually finish P16.
As we reach the mid‑way part of the Formula E season, Mitch Evans currently sits second in the drivers’ championship with Panasonic Jaguar Racing third in the teams’ championship.
ME
Marrakesh E-Prix - Mitch Evans
JC
After a long race with no safety cars or yellow flags, the performance from Mitch and the team to make up 18 positions and finish strongly in the points was very impressive. It’s very difficult to come through the field without gaining advantage from those factors and so overall an amazing race for Mitch and the team. We also scored important points with fastest lap but it doesn’t fully make up for the lost opportunity in qualifying where we had the quickest car. We regrouped and bounced back today which is a positive and a sign of how well the team is working. On the other side of the garage, James improved in qualifying and started the race well, but performance fell off towards the end which we will now review. Overall the team recovered well this weekend, secured crucial points and importantly we clearly have the right ingredients for another strong performance next time out.
James Barclay
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director
A massive race. I managed to gain 18 places to finish P6 from the back of the grid and achieve fastest lap so I will take that result with open arms. After an unfortunate qualifying the priority in the race was damage limitation during the E‑Prix and a huge thanks for the team for a great strategy in the race. I wanted to send a strong message to the rest of the field and I believe this performance does that.
Mitch Evans
#20
Qualifying was good, if a little cautious, starting P10 felt like solid progress and we were only a fraction off getting into Super Pole. I made a good start in the race, gaining a couple of positions in the first lap which is positive. I began to struggle later in the race with the balance of the Jaguar I‑TYPE 4 which made it difficult to maintain my minimum speed and affected my energy management. We will investigate why that happened. We need to take the positives from today and look into convert that into points next time.
James Calado
#51
