Jaguar To Compete In Formula E for 2016-17 Season

Jaguar Formula E

It’s been a little over a decade now since Jaguar’s brief tenure in the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1, came to an end. The British manufacturer recently announced their intention to compete once again in Formula racing, this time joining the hotly contested Formula E Championship for the 2016-2017 season.

Jaguar feel the development of their “I-type 1” Formula E racing car will provide plenty of opportunities to discover crossover technologies, which can be implemented into future Jaguar road cars, particularly EVs. Head of engineering for the Formula E team, Nick Rogers, believes the three main areas where Jaguar can make strides are in battery tech, control systems, and of course, the electric motors themselves.

 Jaguar Formula E Car

Williams Advanced Engineering originally handled the powertrain setup for the entire Formula E grid, but that rule has changed for this season, with teams now being allowed to develop their own bespoke powertrains. All cars will continue to use the Williams-engineered battery pack until the fifth season of competition is completed, relying on the company’s extensive knowledge of electrified power gained in F1.

In a stacked field of seriously quick drivers including ex-F1 pilots like Sebastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi, and Jean-Eric Vergne, Jaguar will have to hope their two heroes can bring success in their first season of competition, in a series in which driver skill plays a large part.

Jaguar Formula E Race Car

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Their two main drivers are ex-GP3 champion Mitch Evans of New Zealand, and former A1 GP champion Adam Carroll of Northern Ireland. Carroll was signed at the end of July while Evans beat out Alex Lynn, former Williams F1 test driver, and Harry Tincknell, former Le Mans Champion in the LMP2 class, for the final spot. Chinese-born Ho-Pin Tung will serve as the reserve driver. Jaguar also reportedly courted Anthony Davidson, Bruno Senna and Nelson Piquet Jr.

Jaguar now has their driver lineup squared away, as well as proper funding in the form of a big name title sponsor in Panasonic, who has signed a three-year deal for £16 million. The two companies already enjoy a working relationship as the Japanese electronics giant provides the heads-up display units for Jaguar’s road cars.

At Formula E’s season opener, the 2016 Hong Kong ePrix, held October 9th, Carroll finished in 12th after qualifying 14th on the grid, while Evans was forced to retire after starting from 16th.

The next race will be the Marrakesh ePrix held at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan in Morocco, November 12th.