TRACKSIDE

It all started so well in the first race of the season, with our man Mitch Evans coming out on top and bringing home the trophy. So, hopes for stop two of the season in Mexico were high and the event was a sell-out as the popularity of Formula E continues to grow.

The track at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, near Mexico City, is a 1.6-mile 19-turn layout specifically designed for Formula E and different to the 2.7-mile, 14-turn layout previously used in Formula 1. At 7300 feet, the high altitude is the biggest challenge because it reduces drag but also tests the drivers’ fitness.

During the qualifying runs, both of the Jaguar drivers set impressive times. Mitch Evans just lost out to the Nissan of Oliver Rowland in the quarter‑final qualifying Duel, but Nick Cassidy delivered an impressive lap to finish third in his group… until he had his lap time deleted because of a technical infringement. This meant that the race started with Mitch fifth on the grid and Nick at the back of the pack in 22nd place.

With the race underway, Evans put up a good fight to get himself in position to progress in the closing stages of the race. On Lap 17, Mitch took his first four minutes of Attack Mode which, for this season, triggers not only an extra 50kw of power, but also all‑wheel-drive capability. With this activated, Mitch was able to climb six places to a promising fourth.

CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP (TOP FIVE)