FIA Formula E Championship Rounds 12 and 13, New York. Panasonic Jaguar Racing enjoyedmixed fortunes during the last two races of the FIA Formula E Championship, in New York, over 13-14 July.
Mitch Evans and Nelson Piquet Jr delivered the team’s best qualification result on day one of the double-header in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Mitch, once again, showcased both his own ability and the speed of his I-TYPE 2 as he qualified on the front row of the grid, starting second. Nelson Piquet Jr was unlucky not to feature in Super Pole, qualifying in sixth.
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, while Nelson, who was fighting for a podium position having made up places in the early stages, was forced to retire following a quick car change after losing too-much time with an undisclosed issue that is currently being investigated by the team.
In race two, Jaguar Racing enjoyed a double-points finish, reinforcing the team’s development since joining the series. After heavy storms overnight, both Evans and Piquet Jr qualified well in challenging conditions to start the final race of the 2017/18 season in sixth and seventh.
Following a strong start, Nelson moved up to fourth. With split strategies, Mitch entered the pits first before completing a quick car change to rejoin the field in sixth; Nelson followed a lap later, returning to the track in eighth.
Successful battery management allowed Nelson to move up to seventh on the last lap of the race, ensuring the two Jaguar I-TYPE 2’s crossed the line for the final time side-by-side.
“It’s great to get points today,” said Evans. “Securing a double-points finish was our target and it’s a strong way to finish the year. We’re already working towards next season – we missed some opportunities this year, but are motivated to build on the improvements.”
Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s second year in Formula E will be remembered as a season of firsts, with the team claiming their first podium finish in Hong Kong, before securing their first pole position in Zurich.
The Jaguar I-TYPE 2 showed progress from its predecessor enabling the team to be consistently fighting for points. Indeed, the British team finished with a total of 119 points, which put them sixth in the team standings. Mitch led the team home in seventh place in the driver standings, with Nelson finishing ninth.
James Barclay, team director of Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said, “We have made a big step forward this year and I believe we are the most improved team. Last year was a learning year and this season we have scored points in all but two races.
“It would have been great to secure a couple more podiums, but I would like to thank the whole team and our partners for all their dedication. We are all motivated to work hard before the start of next season and aim to carry this positive momentum forward.”
