Panasonic Jaguar Racing is in determined mood ahead of round five of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, as the team looks to convert its pace into points.
Heading into the Hong Kong E-Prix, which is also the 50th Formula
E race, the team has fond memories of the track down by the city’s iconic
Harbourfront. Last year saw Mitch Evans collect his and the team’s first
podium, while Nelson Piquet Jr. made his debut for Panasonic Jaguar Racing here.
While the picturesque street circuit holds strong memories
for the team, everyone is focusing on the task in hand this weekend, as the
team looks to improve its qualifying performance to give the drivers the best
chance of winning the most points.
Team Director James Barclay said the team has had good
success in Hong Kong previously and will be pushing hard again to repeat those
successes, adding:
“We will be working hard to improve our performance in
qualifying, to ensure that we give ourselves the best possible starting
position on the grid.
“Our race pace and energy management has been good so far
this season, and we have shown our potential during races.”
Mitch, who visited the Solihull plant last week, echoed
these sentiments.
“Qualifying will be the focus for us in Hong Kong,” he said.
“We’ve been putting in a lot of work back at base and I have been spending
plenty of time in the simulator, to ensure that my race this year is as good as
last season.”
Team-mate Nelson, added: “The Jaguar I-TYPE 3 is quick, but
we need to be consistently fast if we want to compete with the front-runners.
It’s a competitive series and we really need to get qualifying right in Hong
Kong. With two races in Asia this month there are a lot of points up for
grabs.”
Hong Kong welcomes the I-PACE eTROPHY
Hong Kong will also play hosts to the third round of the
Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, with British driver Katharine Legge leading the pack after claiming maximum points in Mexico City.
Looking back on the race, she describes it as a ‘clockwork
race weekend’, adding: “I used less battery than anticipated and we had no
issues. We are very fortunate to be supported by the best team with Rahal
Letterman Lanigan Racing, and without them we would not be as competitive.”
Katharine currently leads the Pro Championship by one point
ahead of Mitch’s brother Simon, Sérgio Jimenez and team-mate Bryan Sellers.
Once again there will be a Jaguar Racing VIP driver taking
part in the race, with Hong Kong resident and five-time Macau Grand Prix winner
Darryl O’Young taking to the grid.
“To race on the streets of Hong Kong is something I didn’t
think would ever be possible, especially driving an electric race car,” he
says. “To accomplish these two things together in one race weekend is very
special.”
FanBoost for the race in Hong Kong is now open, so take a
moment to show your support for either Mitch Evans or Nelson Piquet Jr.
Each vote counts, as the top five drivers will benefit from
an extra boost in the final 25 minutes of the race, which could prove vital in
helping the team secure a podium place they desire.
Fan voting closes 10 minutes after the race starts. Place your FanBoost here.
Watch all the action live on Sunday from 07:30am GMT on BBC Two,
BBC iPlayer, BT Sport 3 or via the ABB Formula E official YouTube channel here.
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