Formula E

Jaguar say unlucky qualifying cost them points

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Credit: Formula E

Panasonic Jaguar Racing boss James Barclay says that his team could have scored even more points at the Ad Diriyah ePrix had it not been for an unlucky qualifying session.

Rain disrupted the morning practice sections and led to a shortened qualifying with only two groups going out instead of four, and with no super-pole shootout.

And a red flag error in qualifying disrupted both Jaguar drivers, with Nelson Piquet Jr not able to put in a full power lap which left him down in thirteenth, with Mitch Evans only eighth.

Both of them made progress during the race to finish in the points, with Evans only just missing out on a podium in fourth, but the team felt they could have achieved more had they started higher up the grid.

Barclay said, “Fourth place today for Mitch after starting eighth shows we had a competitive package and executed a good race strategy.

“It’s a shame that we were disadvantaged as a team after the red flag error in qualifying but I think we recovered well as a team and should take the positives of turning our fortunes around with a solid points finish.

“Our focus now shifts towards getting onto the podium in Marrakesh.”

Evans too bemoaned their qualifying issue, and said that with qualifying becoming increasingly important in Formula E it was a big blow to not be able to start further up.

“A busy race after limited time on track but it was good fun,” Evans said. “It is a shame not to give the team the podium they deserved but we were hampered by some bad luck in qualifying, which is so key in Formula E.  

“I enjoyed using the Attack Mode and it brings a unique element to the race. I’ll now work with the team in the simulator ahead of Marrakesh to build on this result.”

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