Formula EInterviews

Evans: Jaguar pace ‘respectable’

2 Mins read

Mitch Evans believes his new Panasonic Jaguar Formula E team have shown respectable pace, but that they are still playing catch-up due to their inexperience.

The British marque’s return to motorsport has so far been underwhelming, and despite having the resources of a major manufacturer, and the experience of Williams Advanced Engineering, they have been off the pace of the frontrunners.

However in an interview with The Checkered Flag, Evans said their pace is where they expect it to be given it is their first season in the championship.

Evans said, “We obviously want to do as well as we can and grabbing some points here and there would be amazing.

“The championship is so competitive, and we do have the disadvantage of not being in the championship for the first two years.

“I think where we’re at is respectable because we are just so inexperienced, and we’ve got a lot on our plate in terms of trying to catch up with everyone coming into their third season.

“I think all in all our goals are realistic and we know where we stand. It’s a matter of extracting what we’ve got this year and taking it on to next year and building on that.”

When asked about whether the team were capable of closing the gap, Evans said that the team were getting better with every race, and that their resources should see them become more competitive.

However he warned that it might not be until next year that they start to reach their full potential.

“Everyone is so driven in the team and driving for the same goal, and I think next year you’ll see,” Evans said. “I would expect naturally a big step up but you just don’t know.

“The more races the team gets under its belt they’ll learn what they need to get the most out of this new technology.

“With the resources that Jaguar have I’m in no doubt they can find ways of closing that gap and be more competitive next year.”

Ahead of the Marrakesh ePrix this weekend, the New Zealander said he expected a better showing than in Hong Kong, as the team have learned a lot since then.

An electronic issue ended his race at the season opener, but the team have fixed the problem that caused it.

“Yeah, that’s all been fixed so that’s great news,” he commented. “It’s still very early days so not what we obviously wanted, but it happens.

“The positive out of it is that we found it quite early on in the season.

“I’m expecting to be stronger than we were in Hong Kong but I think other teams as well will be finding ways to get the most out of their own powertrains.

“I think it’s going to be constant development, hopefully we can just find little ways of going quicker than our rivals.”

Avatar photo
679 posts

About author
Formula E writer for TCF since 2015-16 and fascinated by all things electric.
Articles
Related posts
DakarInterviews

INTERVIEW: Alex Scheuerell breaks down Polaris' 2024 Dakar challenger

5 Mins read
Alex Scheuerell, technical director for Polaris Factory Racing, spoke with The Checkered Flag as his team’s Polaris RZR Pro R Factory takes on the Dakar Rally with Xavier de Soultrait and Florent Vayssade for Sébastien Loeb Racing.
DakarInterviewsWorld Rally-Raid Championship

INTERVIEW: Austin Jones discusses "really hard" T3 championship battle

5 Mins read
From Morocco, twice-reigning Dakar Rally winner Austin Jones had a quick word with The Checkered Flag about his World Rally-Raid Championship T3 pursuit and the 2024 season.
DakarInterviewsWorld Rally-Raid Championship

INTERVIEW: Joao Ferreira "really, really looking forward" to new life at Can-Am

10 Mins read
João Ferreira, now at South Racing Can-Am for the 2024 Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship, sat down with The Checkered Flag to discuss his new home and upcoming T4 title pursuit.