Kiwis clinch historic one-two
Kiwi teammates have celebrated a one-two finish on the streets of Monaco after finding success in the latest round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Mitch Evans, pictured above, led home Nick Cassidy for the Jaguar TCS Racing team in the eighth round of the 2024 season, which was the first win for the marque in the principality that borders France.
The pair started the Monaco E-Prix on the second row of the grid, with Cassidy in third and Evans fourth. They traded positions at the first corner and after 11 laps occupied the top two places.
A perfectly managed strategy by the team and drivers kept it a one-two for the Jaguar I-Type 6s for the rest of the race on April 27 (NZ time) and Cassidy scored an extra point for the fastest lap.
The result helped Jaguar TCS Racing extend their lead in the teams’ world championship to 44 points, while Cassidy moved to second place in the drivers’ standing and Evans is now fifth.
Evans says it was an amazing day for him and his team, and he also dedicated his victory to motorsport benefactor Sir Colin Giltrap, who passed away this month.
“I’ve led the race here in Monaco many times and have achieved podiums on the streets of Monte Carlo but to have my first win of Monaco and of the season has come at such a good time for me,” he explains.
“I need to keep scoring big points consistently and I hope that I can keep this momentum heading into Berlin.
“Most importantly, this win is for Colin Giltrap and his family. Colin has supported my career for over 20 years and I wouldn’t be racing and following my dreams without him.”
Cassidy, pictured below, adds Evans was a deserving winner of the race. “I was lucky enough to be in this position with him the other way around last year, so I am so happy for him and for everyone here at Jaguar TCS Racing this year,” he observes.
“We had the performance today on my side of the garage, we struggled slightly more in practice and qualifying but we were there when it counted, so great team result overall. We can all be really proud of our efforts today.”
James Barclay, managing director of JLR Motorsport and Jaguar TCS Racing Team principal, says the way the team and drivers worked together was exemplary and enabled them to make history.
“This was an incredibly strategic race, and the team executed it to perfection. We have two highly intelligent and fast racing drivers in Mitch and Nick, but their strength under pressure and teamwork enabled us to achieve what we did here today,” he notes.
“We’ve made history and broken a number of records – Jaguar’s first win in Monaco, Mitch’s first win in the principality and Formula E’s first ever one-two on the streets of Monte Carlo. A moment we will remember forever that is also now cast in Jaguar’s fabulous history.”
The series continues with round nine and 10 in Berlin, Germany, on May 11 and 12.
