Jaguar TCS Racing takes the win in the Jakarta Formula E race
Jakarta, Indonesia – After battling it out on the track, New Zealander Mitch Evans of the Jaguar TCS Racing team emerged victorious, taking first place in round 9 of the Formula E World Championship.
The 9th race of the ABB FIA Formula E saw the Jakarta E-Prix circuit abuzz with activity as teams and fans alike descended upon the Ancol district for the first ever FIA-sanctioned motorsports event since 2006.
In the equatorial heat and humidity (that we Singaporeans are no stranger to) with track temperatures soaring past 45°C, efficiency and battery challenges owing to the high temperatures posed problems for cars and drivers alike. Initial weather forecasts also hinted at a chance of thunderstorms on the afternoon of the race.
However, the skies remained clear for both practice sessions and the qualifying heats. While Sam Bird had to settle for starting 14th on the grid, Mitch Evans made it through the quarter-final duels, before losing out to Jean-Éric Vergne of the DS Techeetah team by three tenths of a second, placing him 3rd in the grid for the Jakarta E-Prix.
With both DS cars starting on the front row of the race, the lights went green at 3:00 pm GMT+7. With two places to gain in the race, Mitch was locked in a fervent battle with the DS Techeetah team and Edoardo Mortara of the ROKiT Venturi Racing team, who edged ahead toward the front of the field.
With just under 7 minutes left on the clock, Mitch Evans surged into the lead of the race with a bold move on the inside line of turn 7 of the Jakarta E-Prix circuit, ahead of race leader Vergne.
Despite issues with his rear tyres in the last five laps, Evans held on to his position as he crossed the finish line to take the win for the Jaguar TCS Racing team. The New Zealander also clinched the fastest lap in the inaugural Jakarta E-Prix, with an impressive lap time of 1:09:786.
Evans’ co-driver Sam Bird also fought hard on the circuit, fighting his way up the field from 14th and finishing 9th overall with two points enabling Jaguar TCS Racing to hold on to 4th place in the FIA Formula E World Championship team’s standing with 139 points.
PHOTOS Jaguar & Jay Tee
Keyword: Jaguar TCS Racing takes the win in the Jakarta Formula E race