- Panasonic Jaguar Racing name Pietro Fittipaldi & Harry Tincknell as the drivers that will pilot the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 at next week's rookie test in Marrakesh
- Marrakesh E-Prix is the second race of the 2018/19 ABB FIA Formula E season and takes place in Morrocco, 12 January
- Rookie driver testing takes place on Sunday 13 January, after the Marrakesh E-Prix and open to drivers who have previously never held an e-licence
7 January 2019, Whitley, UK: Panasonic Jaguar Racing welcomes back test drivers Pietro Fittipaldi and British driver, Harry Tincknell who will both drive the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 in the one-day test on 13 January following the Marrakesh E-Prix.
Brazilian Fittipaldi – the grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi – and British driver Tincknell will be driving the Jaguar I-TYPE 3, a faster all-electric racecar with greater efficiency and range.
Fittipaldi will test for Panasonic Jaguar racing for the second consecutive year, but it will be the first time the Brazilian has tested the new Jaguar I-TYPE 3. The 22 year old has a successful record in the sport including winning the World Series Formula V8 3.5 title in 2017 and is the current Haas F1 test driver.
Tincknell, 27, is no stranger to highly competitive racing, with a varied background across a mixture of driving disciplines, most prominently in the Le Mans 24 hours having won the Le Mans P2 class on his 24-hour race debut, and the 2016 European series. The British driver returns to Panasonic Jaguar Racing after making his testing debut for the team at Donington Park in 2016, but will be putting his experience to the test behind the technologically advanced Jaguar I-TYPE 3.
The fifth season of ABB FIA Formula E began in Saudi Arabia on 15 December, with Panasonic Jaguar Racing clinching a positive double-points finish in the opening race of the season.
The Marrakesh in-season rookie test will take place on 13 January – after the E-Prix which takes place on 12 January – and marks the penultimate in-season test of the 2018/19 campaign.
Pietro Fittipaldi: "I am really happy with the opportunity that Jaguar is giving me to test in Marrakesh. I am excited to drive the Generation 2 Formula E car which will be a big step up with more power and more grip. I am looking forward to seeing how it feels on track. I've heard many good things about the Jaguar I-TYPE 3. I am there to help the team develop the car as much as we can throughout the test day - so I am looking forward to it."
Harry Tincknell: "I am really excited to be joining Panasonic Jaguar Racing at the Marrakesh test. Jaguar gave me my first laps in a Formula E car and I'm very grateful to be testing the new Generation 2 car with them. It is a great opportunity for me and I hope to use my previous Formula E experience to do the best job possible. With in-season testing being limited, I really want to maximise the day for the team and contribute to the development of the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 after its strong double points finish to start season five with Mitch and Nelson."
James Barclay, Team Director, Panasonic Jaguar Racing: "Welcome back to both Pietro and Harry. Pietro did a great job last year for us in Marrakesh so was an obvious choice. Harry is no stranger to the team having driven the Jaguar I-TYPE 1 back in Donington in August 2016. We have a full test programme for both drivers which is crucial in the ongoing development of the Jaguar I-TYPE 3.
Nelson had a strong weekend in Marrakesh last year, securing fastest lap and just missing out on a podium. Both drivers raced well for solid points in Ad Diriyah and we look forward to building on that in Marrakesh and starting 2019 in a positive way."
-Ends-
EDITORS' NOTES
ABOUT PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING
Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E Championship street racing series.
Jaguar's Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar and Land Rover road cars and is designed around the team's founding principle, 'Race to Innovate'.
Manufacturers can design their own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and rear suspension. Common components across all teams to control costs include the carbon fibre chassis and battery. The focus is on developing electric vehicle powertrains.
ABB Formula E unveiled earlier this year the Generation 2 racecars. Teams will now have one racecar per driver, and no longer be required to make the mandatory car swap.
Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. The championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world's major cities including Riyadh, Hong Kong, Sanya, Monaco, Rome, Paris and ending in a double-header weekend in New York.
For further information about Panasonic Jaguar Racing, please contact:
Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Tel: +44 7979 554 005
Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com