Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY title chase goes to the final race weekend in New York

The race to be crowned the first Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY champion will go down to the double-header finale in New York.

After a keenly fought contest on the streets of Berlin, both the PRO and PRO-AM championships are up for grabs.

Jaguar Brazil Racing’s Cacá Bueno, who claimed his third win of the season and his second consecutive victory, has blown the race wide open with four drivers in the mix to claim the inaugural title.

After securing a front-row lockout with team-mate Sérgio Jimenez, they completed another one-two for team Jaguar Brazil Racing. Team Asia New Zealand’s Simon Evans completed the podium, with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Bryan Sellers finishing closely behind in fourth.

The results mean that with two races to go in New York, Jimenez leads the way with Sellers in close pursuit, with Bueno and Evans just a bit further back, as just 20 points covers the top four.

Cacá Bueno said it is brilliant to be the first driver to win three races in the series and take maximum points home for consecutive weekends, adding: 

“This was one of the toughest races we’ve had this season. I had good pace throughout the race, but the wide circuit offered opportunities to overtake, meaning I had to hold off Sérgio and Simon. 

“It’s an incredible feeling that I’m heading into the final race weekend of the season as a championship contender.”

In the PRO-AM championship, Saudi Racing’s Bandar Alesayi missed the chance to sew up the title, after retiring off the back of a collision. It gave the opportunity for Jaguar China Racing’s Yaqi Zhang to close the gap with just two races to go.

Viessmann Jaguar eTROPHY Team Germany’s Célia Martin finished second with Ahmed Bin Khanen completing the podium. It means that Alesayi has seen his lead cut to 17 points with Zhang giving himself a real chance in New York.

Speaking after the race, Yaqi Zhang said it was amazing to be back on the podium for the sixth time in a row, adding:

“It was a tough battle with Célia for the majority of the race but I managed to get passed her with five minutes to go. I’m looking forward to the final race weekend in New York.”

With both titles up for grabs, the teams head to New York for the double-header in July.

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