Panasonic Jaguar Racing ready for second electrifying season in FIA Formula E

Panasonic Jaguar Racing are heading to Hong Kong for the start of their second season in the FIA Formula E Championship later this weekend. 

The season opener takes place on 2 -3 December in Asia’s first ever double-header race weekend and will be the first time drivers Nelson Piquet Jr. and Mitch Evans line up on the grid together in the new British team. 

At the Hong Kong E-Prix drivers will complete through 45 laps of the 1.86 km street race circuit in the new Jaguar I-TYPE 2 on city’s iconic Harbourfront. With 20 turns and two hairpin bends, Panasonic Jaguar Racing are ready to electrify the city’s streets. 

This season, Panasonic Jaguar Racing have developed a new powertrain, with more than 200 new parts in the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 to produce a more efficient package using high strength lightweight materials. Taking in all the learnings and technical advancements from season three, the team believes these will have a positive impact on their performance.  For this season, the race power level increases to 180 kwh, making the cars even faster.

Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director James Barclay said: “We are very excited to kick off our second season in Formula E and it’s great to be back on the grid in such an iconic city. 

“As we race to innovate, we have taken a great deal of learnings from our first season and the team has worked extremely hard to make sure that we have the most competitive powertrain possible for the season ahead. Alongside the improvements on the Jaguar I-TYPE 2, we welcome Nelson to our new driver line-up – all of which, we hope, will help us to be regularly competing for points.”

Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s newest driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, who took Pole Position honours at the inaugural Hong Kong E-Prix in 2016, said: “Joining Panasonic Jaguar Racing is a great move for me and it’s been fantastic learning how this new team operates. I’m working closely with everyone to draw on my experience in Formula E and push us to the next level. 

“As the series becomes more competitive, I wanted to join Jaguar to give myself the best chance of success. We won’t know until we are on the grid how much the other teams have progressed and what the true capabilities of the JaguarI-TYPE 2 are, so I’m looking forward to getting started and giving it my very best.”

Mitch Evans, who has been confirmed for a second season with Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said: “The competition this season will be stronger than ever, but the work that the team has put in will help push us further up the grid.

“I had a really good first season as a rookie in the championship so I’m very excited for my second season with Panasonic Jaguar Racing. Nelson and I are already working together to grow as a team so bring on Hong Kong.”

Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s mission - Race to Innovate - continues into season four with the aim of inspiring and engaging a new generation of fans. As the first premium manufacturer to enter Formula E, Jaguar also recently launched a world-first electric vehicle race series - the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY - which showcases the link between Jaguar’s involvement in Formula E, the development of Jaguar’s road cars and the future of electrification. 

From season five, 20 Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHYracecars will line up on the grid in ten of the world’s most iconic cities, in the world’s first all-electric support race series.The championship will take place on the same day as the FIA Formula E Championship, enhancing the electric race schedule. 

From 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover model lines will be electrified – with either hybrid or battery technology.  

Vote for your favourite Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver to give them extra boost on the racetrack in Hong Kong. Tweet your boost using #MitchEvans or #NelsonPiquetJr and #FanBoost, or visit: http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/