JAGUAR TCS RACING TAKE TEAMS’ TITLE FIGHT TO THE WIRE AS MITCH EVANS WINS IN LONDON
Dubai, UAE, 30 July 2023 – Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans wins the penultimate race of the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, taking his fourth win of the season. The Kiwi also took Pole position, scoring 28 out of the 29 points available today.
Sam Bird drove an incredible race to finish his home E-Prix in a provisional fourth-place position. In front of a sold-out home crowd, the British team took the teams’ championship battle right up to the wire, executing a solid strategy and securing an almighty 40 points. The team head into tomorrow’s final race of the 2023 season on equal points with customer team Envision Racing.
Mitch started the race in sixth place after a five-place grid penalty, with Sam Bird in ninth. Throughout the race, action-packed from start to finish, Mitch climbed an impressive five places to lead the pack from lap 9. Whilst the Kiwi focussed on the task at hand and leading the race, behind him a dramatic E-Prix was unfolding. During lap 15, Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy suffered front wing damage causing him to retire and a safety car was deployed. Lap 29 saw another safety car, before a red flag and race stoppage. At the rolling restart Mitch led Sébastien Buemi, António Félix da Costa and Jake Dennis before a second red flag was flown just minutes later when the track was blocked due to an incident at turn 19.
The second race restart saw Mitch hold his lead, pull clear and take the chequered flag, securing his fourthABB FIA Formula E win of the season. In the midst of an aggressive pack, Sam navigated his way into a strong points-scoring position, finishing in fourth after a penalty was applied to Da Costa.
The penultimate race of the season has positioned Jaguar TCS Racing on equal points with Jaguar-powered Envision Racing in the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship teams’ standings.
James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal: “We came into this penultimate round of the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship needing a clean and clever race with some fortune in our favour, that’s exactly what we’ve had. Mitch’s pole position under pressure was very impressive and then he went on to execute a truly world class inaugural home race win for the team. In such an intense race, Sam’s fourth-place finish was a huge result for him and the team, and collectively brought our teams’ championship back alive. It was amazing to race in front of so many of our fans, colleagues, friends and family. Securing Jaguar TCS Racing’s fourth win and tenth podium of the season has contributed to our record-breaking year and shows our continuous improvement. My congratulations go out to Jake Dennis and all of the Avalanche Andretti team for the drivers’ world championship title – they’ve been great competition for us and delivered a very strong season.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of everyone at Jaguar TCS Racing. We’re enjoying the world championship fight and we’re not giving up. Bring on the final round tomorrow.”
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing driver, #9: “I wanted to take the fight to the final day of the championship and I gave it my everything. Today I got pole position and won the race but Jake Dennis drove an incredible drive again. Congratulations to him and all of the Avalanche Andretti team for winning the drivers’ title. There are a number of things that could have gone differently this season but the teams’ championship is now the priority. I know how much it’d mean for all of the team to win championship, so we’ll give it everything we’ve got again tomorrow.”
Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing driver, #10: “The race was chaotic in normal Formula E style, so I hope the fans enjoyed it. It was a very strange race but I am pleased to have scored strong points for the team. I was hoping for a P3, but P4 is a decent job. It was important to score these points for the team and we now have a fighting chance of bringing home the teams’ world championship title. The Jaguar I-TYPE 6 is looking strong and it will be a big day tomorrow.”
The final round of the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship begins at 17:00 local time on Sunday 30 July.
Last Updated on 1 year by News Desk 2