Electric dreams

Jaguar has taken the wraps off its new electric motorsport future, revealing its Formula E team’s official name, vision, title sponsor, driver line-up and electric racing livery.

From October, Panasonic Jaguar Racing will compete in the third FIA Formula E season with the first all-electric Jaguar racing car in history: the I-TYPE 1.

At the recent launch event at the Jaguar Collections Centre, the new I-TYPE 1 made a dramatic debut driven by the team’s official reserve driver Ho-Pin Tung and outlining the brands commitment to ‘Race To Innovate’ – a mission to change the perception of electric vehicles, to develop new electric technology and to inspire future generations.

In addition, Jaguar revealed its race driver line-up with Adam Carroll and Mitch Evans confirmed to drive the I-TYPE 1 in the team’s inaugural season. This driver line-up will spearhead Jaguar’s return to top-level racing.

Jaguar detailed its partnership with Panasonic that will see the electronics and automotive technology company partner with the Jaguar Racing Formula E team to develop electric technology in a performance environment. In addition, Jaguar was pleased to announce Lear Corporation will join the team as an Official Team Partner.

Gerd Mäuser, chairman of Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said: “We are proud to be back in top-level motor sport. The future is changing and we’re part of that change. We can’t wait to begin racing competitively in inner-city locations inspiring a whole new generation of @JaguarRacing fans to join us on this exciting journey. Formula E is the perfect platform to inspire the next generation.”

Jaguar Land Rover employs 9,000 engineers and is Britain’s largest research and development investor across any business sector. Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, underlined the important role Formula E will play in developing next generation electric vehicle technology and the importance of electric vehicles in the company’s future product portfolio.

Rogers said: “Over the next five years we will see more changes in the automotive world than in the last three decades. The championship will enable us to engineer and test our advanced technologies under extreme performance conditions. We will apply this vital knowledge as part of our real world development.”

The Panasonic Jaguar Racing team has successfully completed 21 days of testing, up to and including the last Formula E public test, which finished at Donington Park Circuit.

James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director said: “Everyone has worked very hard over the last nine months to prepare for our debut in the Championship.

“We want to be successful on and off the track. We know that the challenge will be strong – our competitors have a two-year head start. We will be keeping our expectations in check in our first season. Ultimately we’re here to win but we’re here to innovate too.”

For more information about the team visit Twitter @JaguarRacing, Instagram@JaguarRacing and Snapchat JaguarRacing

Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Drivers:

Adam Carroll, 33, Northern Ireland
Adam brings speed and experience to Jaguar in a career that spans from karting, to F3, GP2, A1GP, IndyCar and WEC. He has also successfully carried out the bulk of Panasonic Jaguar’s Formula E testing duties.

He said: “It’s a real privilege to be racing for Jaguar in Formula E. You only have to look at the calibre of the other drivers in the series to see the level of competitiveness and prestige that this championship now has. To drive for Jaguar is also a dream come true. They are the biggest brand to come into the series and one of the most evocative names in racing.”

Mitch Evans, 22, New Zealand
With multiple karting and open-wheel championship titles to his name including the 2012 GP3 Championship, Mitch is a young driver with proven race credentials. He has also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing second in class in 2015. In 2016 he has competed in the GP2 Series for Campos Racing.

He said: “Formula E is a real drivers’ championship with some of the most competitive racing in the world. Any of the drivers will tell you how challenging it is to find the limit in a Formula E car and gain those extra tenths and I’m looking forward to the season ahead. Some of history’s most iconic cars have been developed by Jaguar and I’m thrilled to be part of Jaguar’s electric future and our return to motorsport.”

Ho-Pin Tung, 33, China
Ho-Pin joins Panasonic Jaguar Racing with extensive open-wheel racing experience including F3, A1GP, GP2, WEC, IndyCar and F1 testing. Tung also brings real-world Formula E experience to the team, having competed in three races in the inaugural FIA Formula E Championship.

He said: “I believe that Jaguar’s entry to the series is a significant moment for the FIA Formula E Championship. I have direct experience of racing in this series and have seen how effectively Formula E brings a thrilling showcase of next generation technologies right to the cities of fans around the world. I am looking forward to making a meaningful contribution to this future of electric mobility and to Jaguar’s significant racing legacy.”