Mitch Evans fronts a Kiwi 1-2 at São Paulo
Mitch Evans has won the São Paulo Formula E-Prix ahead of fellow Kiwi, Nick Cassidy and Jaguar TCS teammate, Sam Bird.
Mar 26, 2023
It was a clean sweep for Jaguar powered cars at the Formula e-prix of São Paulo and a stellar 1-2 Kiwi finish with Mitch Evans, in his Jaguar TCS Racing car, leading fellow Kiwi Nick Cassidy driving for Envision Racing who Jaguar provide a high voltage electric motor, inverter, transmission, cooling system, casing and suspension.
It’s been a frustrating season for Jaguar TCS Racing, but Mitch has shown signs of brilliance claiming pole in Hyderabad, but the win at the São Paulo E-Prix was his first this year. The Kiwi was joined on the podium in third by teammate Sam Bird after dominating on the fast Sambadrome track. The double podium has reinvigorated the team’s standings and catapulted Jaguar TCS Racing into third in the in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
Both Jaguar drivers demonstrated skill and speed in the Jaguar I-TYPE 6, combined with a perfectly executed team strategy to execute the points turnaround.
Evans lined up third on the grid after a strong qualifying performance and made a positive start, holding his position and later overtaking Porsche’s Da Costa on Lap 7 taking him to second place. Despite dropping back to P4 during the nail-biting 35-lap race, Mitch maintained a strong energy strategy and seized his moment to take the lead.
Meanwhile, Brit Sam Bird delivered one of his best drives of the season, climbing an incredible seven positions after starting in tenth position. He had a favourable energy strategy which allowed him to make his way up the order to battle with Kiwi Nick Cassidy at the chequered flag. Sam rounded off the podium and also took home the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap accolade, providing him with an additional point.
Like Mitch Evans, Nick Cassidy is a fellow Toyota Racing Series alum and his second place helped make Formula E history for Jaguar.
Evans has climbed to ninth in the championship at the halfway point of the 2023 championship.
“What an incredible day! A historic first with three Jaguars dominating the podium.” Said James Barclay, Jaguar TCS racing’s principal. “ With a strong car and a proven team, we knew it was about executing a clean weekend with a great strategy and that’s what we did today. Mitch and Sam drove exceptionally, showing patience in a strategic race and raw speed when it was needed.”
Evans is equally ecstatic to get the monkey of his back and look toward more winning ace for the remainder of the season. “This win has come at the perfect time, because we’ve had a tough start and the Jaguar has been quick. To finally get a victory is incredible - Nick pushed me all the way. This is all down to the hard work of the team, there’s a lot of graft that goes in, so much work into the strategy, to try and put it together is not easy so I’m super happy to get some big points on the board.”
Jaguar TCS Racing will compete in the seventh and eighth rounds of the 2023 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Berlin, Germany on 22 and 23 April.
