Challenging Return For Panasonic Jaguar Racing In Berlin

by Panasonic Jaguar Racing | August 5, 2020

• 158 days away, 24 drivers, 12 teams, nine days, six races, one champion

• Mitch Evans finishes outside of the points following late race clash with Maximilian Guenther

• Mitch Evans retains P2 in the drivers' points standing despite P13 finish

• James Calado finishes P15 after very limited track time due to technical issues in practice

05 August 2020, Berlin, Germany: Panasonic Jaguar Racing took to the track for the first time in four months today for the hotly anticipated restart of the ABB FIA Formula E season six finale at Berlin's Tempelhof circuit.

With only five races completed of the 2019/20 season completed so far, the all-electric series started calmly but later turned into a frantic race to the finish which saw Mitch Evans spin out of the points after a late clash with Maximilian Guenther following contact with Eduardo Mortara.

Starting from P8 Mitch fought to P6 in the middle of the race conserving his energy and carving through the pack. After a late full course yellow, Guenther clipped the Kiwi's Jaguar I-TYPE 4 and sent him spinning out of the points. Mortara later received a penalty for causing the collision. Evans eventually finished P13 after an actioned packed race which saw his title rival Antonio Felix da Costa extend his lead in the championship with a clean sweep of points in Berlin.

James Calado had a day to forget after technical issues with his Jaguar I-TYPE 4 cost him valuable track time in both practice sessions. A precautionary powertrain change resulted in a sixty place grid penalty which meant starting P24 and a 10 second stop / go penalty. This would ultimately hamper his chance of points. The Briton eventually finished P15 showing strong energy management and gaining valuable missed lap time.

James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director:

'In summary a tough day for us as a team – such good potential and Mitch was looking strong - we felt confident for a good points finish. Our strategy was to make our way through the field progressively but unfortunately when Buemi and D'Ambrosio passed us in the pit lane under full course yellow it meant we had to do all that work again and it put us in a danger zone as things kicked off in the field. Mitch was pushed wide by Buemi and taken out after a hit by Guenther after contact from Mortara which was frustrating. Not a fair result of our potential today. A huge effort from James Calado's engineers to get him race ready today after his powertrain issues. James ultimately had an extended test session today as he lost so much free practise time – he did well to come through the field albeit not for points. We still have a lot to fight for, still second in the drivers' championships and fourth in the teams' with five races remaining. We will reset ahead of tomorrow.

Mitch Evans, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Driver #20:

'The whole day has not gone as we'd like. Qualifying felt ok but that was not the race result we work hard for. I got caught up in everyone's else mess today after the Safety Car came out and everyone bunched up - I don't think the cars behind realised I was going a bit slow to take the corner so clipped me and I spun. I was trying to carve my way through so it's annoying but with so many points still available it's anybody's championship and we have to try again tomorrow. Antonio was incredible today so congratulations to him.'

James Calado, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Driver #51:

'Getting back out on track felt comprised today starting at the back of the grid because of my powertrain penalty but I am ready to go again tomorrow and fight again in round seven. I am grateful for my team getting my car ready to race.'

Photo credit: Panasonic Jaguar Racing
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