Panasonic Jaguar Racing Ready to Electrify Santiago
January 29th, 2017 Whitley – Panasonic Jaguar Racing will mark a new chapter in ABB FIA Formula E history when Chile hosts the all-electric street racing series for the first time in Santiago on February 3rd.
The technical 1.53-mile track will wind its way through Santiago’s vibrant city centre. Starting on the Avenue Santa Maria, drivers will cross the Mapocho river and, speed through the Plazza Baquedano at up to 225kph before finishing among the trees in the Parque Forestal.
In race three in Marrakesh Nelson Piquet Jr claimed the VISA Fastest Lap in the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 securing a valuable extra point for the British team. Following a rapid car change, Nelson managed his energy effectively in the second half of the race, crossing the line in fourth position for the second time this season.
After three races, Nelson Piquet Jr and Mitch Evans are in the top ten of the driver standings, with Nelson fourth and Mitch eighth. Panasonic Jaguar Racing are currently fourth in the team standings – their highest position since joining the Championship.
Nelson Piquet Jr, #3: œIt’s great to head back to South America. The course looks really technical and we have spent a lot of time on the simulator preparing for the new track. In Hong Kong and Marrakesh we had positive results and hopefully I can continue to make progress and get to the front of grid. I adapt quickly to new tracks so I am looking forward to getting the most out of my electric Jaguar race car.
Mitch Evans, #20: œIt’s always exciting going to new venues, and it’s one of the great things about the Championships. We get to race in some of the coolest cities in the world and the challenge of a new circuit is one I look forward to. The Jaguar I-TYPE 2 is suited to tracks like this. We are going through all the data from Marrakesh, so I’m hopeful that will give me an edge in the next race.
As momentum builds ahead of the launch of Jaguar’s first all-electric battery-powered car, the Jaguar I-PACE performance SUV, the introduction of Formula E to Chile will help promote electrification to consumers and increase awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles in a new market.
James Barclay, Team Director of Panasonic Jaguar Racing: œWith three strong races behind us, we are hopeful that both drivers will be competing for points in Santiago. It’s great for the team and the Championship when we race in a new venue. It allows us to promote our commitment to our Race to Innovate founding principle to a new audience and build excitement around the future of the sport and of electric vehicles. This is a big year for Jaguar as we prepare to launch the Jaguar I-PACE, so we are looking forward to spreading the word with a positive result on the streets of Santiago.
