Mitch Evans Wins First Formula E Race For Panasonic Jaguar Racing In Rome

April 15, 2019 by Jaguar Racing

• Mitch Evans wins round seven of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E Championship in Rome, Italy

• 24 year old Kiwi savours 'beautiful feeling' and continues his points scoring streak

• Jaguar's first motorsport victory since 1991

• Mitch moves to fourth in driver standings only four points behind the current championship leader

• Alex Lynn finished P12 on his debut race in the Jaguar I-TYPE 3

• Panasonic Jaguar Racing head to Paris for round eight on April 27

13 April 2019, Rome, Italy

Mitch Evans made history for Panasonic Jaguar Racing, claiming the team's first ever ABB FIA Formula E win in Rome. It is Jaguar's first international motorsport victory since 1991.

During a qualifying session plagued with intermittent rain showers, an impressive performance from Mitch saw the Kiwi driver clinch P2 from Super Pole. Teammate Alex claimed a ninth place qualifying, before being penalised for exceeding the maximum power limit and started at P21.

An early collision at turn 17/18 caused a pile up of several cars and brought out a red flag.

Mitch drove confidently at the restart and managed to overtake Andre Lotterer with Attack Mode at turn 11 for the lead of the race. Despite Lotterer activating Attack Mode a lap later, the Kiwi driver defended well and held onto his first win in the series.

The Panasonic Jaguar Racing team will now prepare for the Paris E-Prix on 27 April.

James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director:

'Seeing Panasonic Jaguar Racing on the top of the podium is a fantastic moment and I'm so proud of all of the team – many of whom have been here since the beginning of season three when we first entered the championship. For a long time we've been saying that we have a good racecar and that we have good pace, it was just about getting all of the pieces together and that was the difference today. It wasn't easy; Mitch delivered two great qualifying laps and an excellent Super Pole lap to put us on the front row. We've shown that if we qualify well, we can deliver great results. Mitch delivered a really mature, world-class performance today.

'It was a brilliant debut for Alex, he did exactly what we asked him to do. We were unfortunate that we had the infringement on the power limit, which wasn't a performance related issue, but the rules are the rules. Without a doubt he's a great addition to the team already and drove really well today.

'Now we look ahead to taking the confidence that today's win will bring forward into the rest of the season and to push for more podiums this season.'

Mitch Evans, #20:

'This feels beautiful. It was a fantastic race. The first few laps were tricky in the wet. After the red flag I just wanted to stay steady. From early on I felt comfortable and my energy management was ahead of target so we decided to use it when it mattered. I wanted to use Attack Mode when Lotterer didn't have it to gain that power difference. We had great pace from the beginning, so I really felt confident out there today.

It's been years since I had a win, so this really feels amazing. I'm so happy for the team, for everyone at Panasonic Jaguar Racing for all their hard work and to Jaguar Land Rover for their support over the past three seasons. This has really come at a great time.'

Alex Lynn, #3:

'First things first, I have to say a huge congratulations to Mitch and the team – my first race with the team and they pull off a result like that is all credit to the them and the pace of our racecar. I honestly feel like with the pace we have with the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 – demonstrated obviously through Mitch's result, but also through me climbing nine places through the field today – going forward, both Mitch and I will be competing for serious points for Panasonic Jaguar Racing.

It feels amazing to be back in the ABB FIA Formula E, with this racecar and with this team, the atmosphere is amazing, it gives me a lot of confidence.'

*Results subject to additional technical checks by the FIA

posted on conceptcarz.com