Jaguar TCS Racing has finished a strong week of testing ahead of the start of season eight of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, completing 434 laps at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia.
The team finished its comprehensive testing programme with Mitch Evans and Sam Bird – one of the strongest driver line-ups in Formula E – gaining vital data to develop the Jaguar I-TYPE 5, as well as trying out the new qualifying format and completing crucial pit stop practices with the team.
During the testing sessions, Bird and Evans travelled 1460km in total – the equivalent of London to Monaco – after each completing 217 laps. Briton Sam Bird started his testing week positively, topping the time sheets in session one and demonstrating the Jaguar I-TYPE 5’s potential for the season ahead, while Mitch Evans topped the practice qualifying session times.
James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal: “It’s been a really constructive week in Valencia for the team. We’ve tested out the new Formula E qualifying format which was a success with both the drivers and team operations performing well. We’ve also been able to put the Jaguar I-TYPE 5 through its paces after rebuilding the race cars and developing our software during the off season. We used the time here in Valencia well and will now continue our preparations ahead of the first race of the season in Saudi Arabia – the drivers are on great form, the team is operating really well and we are all excited to go racing in January 2022.”
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing driver #9: “I think overall it’s been a good week. You always go through different waves, particularly when there is three full days of testing. We started off strong and hit the ground running which is promising. We’ve been competitive in every session, every day this week which has been really encouraging. We got through everything we planned to do, we’ve got some good data to review and I’m looking forward to January for the first race of the season.”
Sam Bird, Jaguar TCS Racing driver #10: “I’m so pleased with all the work the Jaguar TCS Racing team have done this week in Valencia. We’ve learnt a lot about the Jaguar I-TYPE 5 and where we need to progress before Saudi Arabia. I feel in a strong place as a team and certainly feel like we’re going to Saudi Arabia with positive momentum and a lot to look forward to.”
Jaguar TCS Racing will race on the streets of Diriyah, Saudi Arabia on 28 and 29 January 2022 in the first of 16 races in 12 cities across the globe.
