Panasonic Jaguar Racing to make FIA Formula E Racing debut in Hong Kong ePrix

Panasonic Jaguar Racing made its FIA Formula E debut, in the season-opening race in Hong Kong’s iconic central harbour-front district. The British manufacturer is hoping to extend its successful motorsport legacy, which dates back to the 1950s, by entering a full manufacturer two-car team in Formula E, the all-electric single-seater series that brings racing to the heart of some of the world’s greatest cities.

Beginning in Hong Kong, British driver Adam Carroll, 33, and New Zealander Mitch Evans, 22, will race Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s first all-electric Jaguar racecar, the I-TYPE, in the 14-round series, which will conclude in Montreal in July 2017. Designed around the team’s founding principle, ‘Race to Innovate’, Jaguar’s Formula E programme will create tangible research and development benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar Land Rover road cars.

Formula E races last 50 minutes and includes a mandatory pit stop, in which drivers switch to a second car, adding another element to the exciting competition. Drivers face unique challenges in Formula E, as they have to manage battery consumption and regeneration of the battery to maintain charge throughout the race. Manufacturers can design their own powertrains, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and rear suspension. Common components across all teams include the carbon fibre chassis and battery to help control costs. Panasonic Jaguar Racing’s I-TYPE features a Motor Generated Unit (MGU) with a maximum power output of 200 kilowatts and with a maximum speed of 225 kilometres per hour. Power is delivered via a paddle shift sequential gearbox.

Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is also unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. Every round, with the exception of one in Mexico, takes place on street circuits, in the centre of major cities. Track action – including practice, qualifying and racing – occurs in a single day, apart from at the two-day doubleheader races in New York and the season finale in Montreal.

James Barclay, Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director, said, “This is a proud day for the whole of the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team, which has worked very hard and tested endlessly to prepare for its debut here in Hong Kong. We are here to race, but we’re also here to innovate and to inspire. We will race hard from the start, but our expectations are in check as we respect our competitors, who have a two-year head start in the series. We’ve learnt a great deal from our pre-season test and development programme, but there is nothing like real race experience to give us an understanding of what we need to achieve our potential.”