Mitch Evans & Panasonic Jaguar Racing Secure First Formula E Podium in Hong Kong

MITCH EVANS & PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING SECURE FIRST FORMULA E PODIUM

IN HONG KONG

• Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s first ever FIA Formula E podium for Mitch Evans
• A weekend of firsts for both drivers and team culminating in fifth place in the team standings
• The Jaguar I-TYPE 2 proves its pace and efficiency on the track

Hong Kong, Sunday 3 December: Panasonic Jaguar Racing today secured a historic first podium for the British team in FIA Formula E with a third place finish for Mitch Evans.

Following an impressive display throughout the season opening weekend, Evans was awarded third place after the FIA Stewards confirmed that first place driver Daniel Abt, of Audi Abt Schaeffler, was disqualified due to a technical infringement.

The Kiwi produced a fantastic display on the second day of the Hong Kong E-Prix recording Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s best ever qualifying position. After setting the quickest time in Qualifying, Mitch made his debut in the Super Pole session for the quickest five drivers – a first for the team.

Following a small breach for exceeding maximum power during Super Pole, Mitch lined up on the grid in fourth position and showed further evidence that the new Jaguar I-TYPE 2 has the potential to compete for points in the team’s second season in Formula E.

Nelson Piquet Jr. made a strong start to the all-electric series during Saturday’s E-Prix with Jaguar matching the team’s highest finish from the team’s entry season by finishing fourth.  He finished just outside of the points in 12^th during Sunday’s E-Prix and can look back at a successful weekend and leave Hong Kong confident for the season ahead.

After the first two E-Prix’s of the season, Panasonic Jaguar Racing are showing signs of what is to come in what will no doubt be an exciting season. The team can now look forward to the third E-Prix of the season in Marrakesh, in knowledge that they can take learnings from this weekend and keep pushing to be regularly competing for points.

Mitch Evans, #3: “I am proud to secure Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s first podium in Formula E. It is bittersweet as Daniel (Abt) is a good guy and a mate of mine. After a tough year in our first season this is a great reward for the hard work of everyone in the team. Tonight we will celebrate this achievement together and then work hard to repeat it.”

James Barclay, Team Director Panasonic Jaguar Racing: “Well that was a very pleasant surprise! We felt like a podium was on today so I am delighted for Mitch and the whole team. This weekend has exceeded our expectations but we won’t let it go to our heads and we still have many areas to improve upon. Hopefully this is the first of many podiums ahead and we will raise a glass tonight.”

Nelson Piquet Jr. #20: “Mitch’s podium is a great start to the season for the team. The car is definitely on a different level to last year. The whole team have improved a lot. Our hopes are high after this weekend’s results. It was a bit of an unknown coming into the weekend so after these two good results on both days hopefully we have a bit of confidence and can continue to score points throughout the year.”

FanBoost opens for the third E-Prix of the season in Marrakesh on the Monday 8 December for the third instalment of the FIA Formula E Championship. Remember to vote for your favourite Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver to give them extra boost on the racetrack in Hong Kong.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING

Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric FIA Formula E Champion street racing series.

Jaguar’s Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar 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 the rear suspension. Common components across all teams include the carbon fibre chassis and battery to control costs.  The focus is on developing electric vehicle powertrains.

Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. With the exception of the Mexico ePrix, every round of the championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world’s major cities.

Each race day sees all track action including practice, qualifying and racing, taking place in a single day. Beginning on December 2, the 2017/18 calendar includes 14 races in 11 cities, including double-header races in Hong Kong, New York and the season finale in Montreal.