A new era of Formula E racing begins this weekend when the 2024/25 World Championship begins with the Sao Paulo E-Prix in Brazil.
For the second year running, Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans team up at Jaguar TCS Racing, looking to defend the Teams’ Championship title they won for the outfit together earlier this year.
Cassidy will be looking to bounce back from his final round heartbreak in the Driver’s Championship, where he was pipped by Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein at the London E-Prix double-header to miss the title by 22 points.
The Kiwi star had entered the round with an 12 point advantage over the German driver, but a tough opening race saw the latter take the lead, before Cassidy was taken out of the finale.
A new season, however, begins with fresh hope for Cassidy.
“I am really looking forward to getting my second season with Jaguar TCS Racing underway,” he said. “It’s clear that in Season 10 we have left unfinished business.
“We made some important progress with the Jaguar I‑TYPE 7 at the pre‑season test in Madrid, so I am hoping we can continue that momentum and make a positive start at the opening round of the new campaign in São Paulo.”
Evans finished the 2023/24 World Championship as the runner-up, having entered the final double-header tied on points with Wehrlein. Two podiums kept his hopes alive, but a victory and runner-up result for Wehrlein clinched the title.
It marked the third consecutive year where Evans has finished in the top three of the championship, twice as a runner-up and once in third, and he’s determined to go one better in 2024/25.
“I am excited to get back on track once again for Jaguar TCS Racing,” the two-time Toyota Racing Series Champion said.
“It is a great feeling to head to São Paulo as the reigning Formula E Teams’ World Champions and, after a busy off‑season testing our new GEN3 Evo car, we will be doing all we can to ensure the team begin Season 11 strongly.”
Following the debut of a temporary testing livery at the official pre‑season test in Madrid last month, Jaguar TCS Racing have revealed an all‑new livery for the duration of the season which features the team’s signature black, white and gold design.
“What an exciting week it has been to start our 2024/25 title campaign,” said Team Principal James Barcclay. “Firstly, the reveal of the new Jaguar Type 00 in Miami and now the unveiling of our Jaguar I‑TYPE 7 in its official livery here in São Paulo, less than 24‑hours before it will be on‑track in the hands of Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the Jaguar brand and for us as reigning World Champions.
“In parallel with our Season 10 Teams’ World Championship and Manufacturers’ Trophy wins with the Jaguar I‑TYPE 6, we have been designing, developing and testing the new Jaguar I‑TYPE 7. The all‑new Jaguar powertrain is at the start of its development journey but we have seen positive early signs and, along with all teams, we’ve been enjoying the challenge of maximising the new regulations and capability that comes with the shift into the GEN3 Evo era of Formula E.
“GEN3 Evo and the new homologation means Manufacturers have had the opportunity to introduce improved powertrain concepts and components, in addition to the common bodywork and all‑wheel‑drive capability. I am certain the changes are going to mean not only faster cars, but also an incredibly close and competitive season where most of the grid could be in a position to fight for podiums and wins.
“Most importantly, these new regulations give us further opportunities to develop and prove electric vehicle technology at an accelerated rate, and ensure those benefits are transferred to Jaguar’s future all‑electric vehicles for the benefit of our customers.”
The new GEN3 Evo era of Formula E introduced with Season 11 sees significant updates for the core FIA‑mandated areas of all cars (common components), and significant new technology opportunities for the manufacturers (manufacturer perimeter).
Bodywork updates shared by all teams include a new nose and improved aero that will enable cars to run closer than ever before, while new Hankook iON tyres offer 5‑10% more grip – and a significant challenge for all teams to understand their characteristics.
While maximum traction power remains the same at 350kW, for the first time the Front Powertrain Kit (FPK) is available to deliver traction too – meaning all‑wheel‑drive will be permitted in the Qualifying Duels, during the launch and Attack Mode phases of the races. Teams will be able to govern the distribution of that 350kW over the front and rear axles in those phases through their own software control systems, the transition between rear‑ and all‑wheel‑drive being particularly critical. Under braking, both front and rear powertrains will provide a combined 600kW of regen into the battery.
As a manufacturer, Jaguar has engineered a significant number of additional technological updates for the I‑TYPE 7. Chief among these is an all‑new rear powertrain comprising inverter, MGU and transmission. Not only is that powertrain packaged very differently to its predecessor to give the Jaguar I‑TYPE 7 better overall handling balance, but there has been a reduction in weight of electrical ancillary systems.
Within that Jaguar rear powertrain, the new MGU is even more efficient due to enhancements in thermal management technologies – meaning the I‑TYPE 7 can make more efficient use of available energy to go faster for longer. All of these powertrain updates mean the development of new software controls, with which the Season 11 regulations allow greater freedom for manufacturers in this area, have been a key focal point in pre‑season I‑TYPE 7 testing.
Other Jaguar I‑TYPE 7‑specific hardware updates include re‑designed rear suspension. Along with the improved balance offered by the all‑new powertrain packaging, the new rear suspension will mean greater adaptability of handling characteristics between circuits.
Viewing times and information for the Sao Paulo E-Prix can be found in the Creme Insurance Velocity News Motorsport Diary.
