• Panasonic Jaguar Racing prepare for the third E-Prix of the season
  • Following a positive start in Hong Kong, Mitch Evans and Nelson Piquet Jr hope for more points in Marrakesh
  • The Jaguar I-TYPE 2 shows signs of progress, potential and pace
  • Paul Di Resta and Pietro Fittipaldi are announced as rookie drivers for Marrakesh

Whitley, Monday 8 January 2018 – Leaving behind the bright lights of Hong Kong, Panasonic Jaguar Racing head to the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh, Morocco, for the next instalment of the FIA Formula E Championship.

The third E-Prix of the season, on 13 January, starts at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan before winding its way through the streets of Marrakesh. In the shadow of the city's world-famous medina, the 3.0 kilometre track is one of the longest in the series, pushing teams to prioritise energy management.

The British team made a strong start in Hong Kong, matching the same number of points awarded in the whole of season three. Former champion Nelson Piquet Jr showed signs of what is to come, drawing on his experience and knowledge to secure the team's first points of the season. In race two, Mitch Evans reached Super Pole for the first time and recorded the team's first ever podium in Formula E.

Nelson Piquet Jr, #3: "My first weekend racing with Panasonic Jaguar Racing exceeded expectations. To start the season having scored points is positive – but the work doesn't stop there. Mitch and I will be working closely in Marrakesh to make sure we are competing with the front-running teams and fighting for more points. We have shown our potential but it's a long season and we still have improvements we can make."

Mitch Evans, #20: "Hong Kong was an exciting start to the season, and a great boost for Jaguar. The Jaguar I-TYPE 2 feels a lot quicker than last season's racecar and you can really feel the benefits of the changes we've made. Marrakesh is a very different circuit and we will need to focus to make sure that we are racing efficiently and competitively. Points are hard won in Formula E but we are not afraid of hard work."

Panasonic Jaguar Racing recently announced that Paul Di Resta and Pietro Fittipaldi will drive the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 for the British team at the Formula E Rookie test day on Sunday 14 January following the Marrakesh E-Prix.

James Barclay, Team Director, Panasonic Jaguar Racing, said: "Pietro has had a great season, recently being crowned Formula V8 3.5 champion, and Paul will bring key learnings from his career in Formula 1. It provides Jaguar an excellent opportunity to test the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 with new drivers and continue our development and performance as a team. We are looking forward to welcoming both drivers to the team, and providing them with their first experience of Formula E."

Remember to vote for your favourite Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver to give them an extra boost in Marrakesh. FanBoost opens for the third E-Prix of the season at 17:00 GMT on Monday 8 January and closes at 16:10 GMT on Saturday 13 January.

Tweet your boost using #MitchEvans or #NelsonPiquetJr and #FanBoost, or visit: http://fanboost.fiaformulae.com/

-Ends-

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: T: +44 (0) 7979 554 005
Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

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 the 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 14 races in 11 cities, including double-header races in Hong Kong and New York.