Mitch Evans is “hurting a lot” after he crashed out of second in the final moments of this morning’s Formula E race in New York.
The Kiwi had qualified on the front row for the race and was set to finish behind teammate Sam Bird in Jaguar’s first 1-2.
However, Evans, who was already battling high rates of tyre degradation, then ran wide at the turn 4/5 sequence and hit the wall.
The collision damaged Evans’ suspension and he plummeted out of the points to eventual finish 13th.
It would have been Evan’s first podium since Monaco and a massive bolster to his championship ambitions.
“I’ve been waiting for a race like this for so long and I messed it up here in New York,” Evans said.
“I had a lot of front rotation, and I couldn’t hang on to it in one particular lap, and that’s enough to spoil your day.
“I’m really, really gutted, and this one hurts a lot, but I want to say a huge congratulations to Sam.
“We’ll now look to London where I hope to score points again.”
Evans came into the doubleheader weekend fifth in the standings and 12 points behind the championship leader.
He is now eighth and 21 points adrift of Bird, who leads the title race with four races to go.
“I’ve got nowhere to hide from that mistake,” Evans said.
Jaguar’s team boss James Barclay said seeing the 1-2 slip away left him with a “bittersweet feeling.”
Evans’ mistake paved the way for fellow Kiwi Nick Cassidy to inherit second. He took to the chequered flag in P2 and matched his career-best result.
“The team has been working incredibly hard all year, in the factory and at the track,” Cassidy said.
“The hours they put in are second to none. In this championship, it’s just tough, and I’ve had the luxury of being in group 3, group 4.
“Under no illusions, I’m just happy how things are coming together and the work we are doing there.”
Cassidy claimed a pole and P4 in race one of the weekend, and his podium in race two vaults him up to fifth in the championship.
The series heads to Britain for another doubleheader over July 24-25.