Jaguar TCS Racing emerged from a tough day of competition in Portland with a lead of 55-points in the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E Teams’ World Championship, and with drivers Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans retaining first and third positions respectively in the Drivers’ World Championship.
The result was a disappointing one for everyone at Jaguar TCS Racing after late race drama for Nick and a five-second penalty for pole-sitter Mitch – who crossed the line first – denied the team what looked like being a one-two finish with just two-laps to go.
Championship leader Nick Cassidy – having driven a brilliant race to come through the field from 10th on the grid – was leading on the penultimate lap, but a spin at turn ten dropped him out of the points. Mitch, who was second at that point but already facing a five-second post-race penalty for contact with the McLaren of Jake Hughes, took the lead and crossed the line first – a position then adjusted to an eighth-place finish once that penalty was applied.
While the stewards’ decision to apply a five-second penalty to Mitch is not open to appeal, Jaguar TCS Racing are considering the right-to-review process which would enable the review of evidence provided by the team.
The team now shift their focus to tomorrow’s race – with Nick’s drive through the field to lead along with Mitch’s pole-position and fastest lap meaning the potential to once again fight for points and podiums is highly motivating.
Today was a really tough day in the office for us all. It started on a high, with Mitch securing pole position – adding three valuable points to both the team and his own championship campaigns. In the race, Nick drove incredibly well to come through the field to lead, and with two laps to go a 1-2 finish looked likely. However, Nick’s late spin and Mitch’s five-second penalty meant a disappointing result that is hard for both drivers and the team to take. But we have a fast car, fast racing drivers, and I am really proud of everyone at Jaguar TCS Racing. We will review today’s race as a team this evening, learn from it and look at how we can take the positive pace we displayed today into the race tomorrow.
JAMES BARCLAY
MANAGING DIRECTOR, JLR MOTORSPORT AND JAGUAR TCS RACING TEAM PRINCIPAL
These races are really hard to execute, but as a team we keep delivering and deserved some big points today. It’s tricky and frustrating to take. I think it was an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to the incident today, but I don’t think that the penalty reflected the incident. We’ll now look forward to tomorrow.
MITCH EVANS
JAGUAR TCS RACING DRIVER, #9
On a positive note I think today I had 25 of the best laps I’ve driven in Formula E. I managed the energy, the car was very good and we positioned ourselves well. So, I’m going to take that for now and go into tomorrow knowing that we have three races left in the Championship with a good lead. I won’t let this moment define those next three races.
NICK CASSIDY
JAGUAR TCS RACING DRIVER, #37
Round 14 of the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship takes place tomorrow, 30 June, on the Portland International Speedway.