- Panasonic Jaguar Racing make electric street racing debut in Santiago, Chile
- Nelson Piquet Jr and Mitch Evans excited to learn city circuit
- Jaguar to promote electric vehicles through Formula E in South America
Whitley, Monday 29 January: 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 3 February.
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: "It'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 racecar."
Mitch Evans, #20: "It'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: "With 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."
FanBoost opens for the fourth E-Prix of the season at 20:00 GMT on Monday 29 January and closes at 19:10 GMT on Saturday 3 February.
Tweet your boost using #MitchEvans or #NelsonPiquetJr and #FanBoost, or visit: http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/
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For further information about Panasonic Jaguar Racing, please contact:
Phoebe Eaton, Race Team Media Officer, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Tel: +44 (0) 7825 255 553
Email: phoebe.eaton@jaguarracing.com
Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Tel: +44 (0) 7979 554 005
Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com
EDITORS' NOTES
ABOUT PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING
Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship street racing series.
Jaguar's Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar 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.
Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. With the exception of the Mexico E-Prix, every round of the championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world's major cities. All track action including practice, qualifying and racing takes place in a single day. Beginning on December 2, the 2017/18 calendar includes 12 races in 10 cities, including double-header races in Hong Kong and the finale in New York.