Formula E News: Evans leads Jaguar 1-2 in Monaco

Mitch Evans sealed victory in the 2024 Monaco E-Prix, ahead of Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Nick Cassidy, with the British team’s strategy working to perfection.

Evans had led four prior Monaco E-Prix without converting the win, and had made three prior visits to the podium – more than any other driver – this one at the jewel in motorsport’s crown had to stick.

The pair hit the front – Evans from Cassidy – on Lap 11, jumping the DS PENSKE of Stoffel Vandoorne who had made it by polesitter and the race’s initial leader Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) in the early stages.

From there, the team’s strategy looked clear with Evans bolting to a three-second gap at the front and Cassidy holding station to back up the pack, allowing Evans to take ATTACK MODE and retain clear air in P1 – the duo navigating an early Virtual Safety Car for the recovery of Edo Mortara’s Mahindra, which hit the wall in a big way at Swimming Pool.

On Lap 14 at just about the half way stage of the 31-lap encounter, Evans took his second 50kW ATTACK MODE boost, giving up the lead to Cassidy, while returning the favour to keep the pack at bay. The team’s tactics working just as intended.

The Jaguars looked to be a couple of percent to the good on usable energy compared to the DS PENSKEs behind, while Evans held a 0.5% advantage over Cassidy. On Lap 17, Evans retook P1 from his teammate and from there, that was that – measured to perfection and a first Monaco win for both Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing – at last – and a one-two to boot, the team’s second in Formula E.

Vandoorne and Vergne also played a strong team game, following the Jaguars home in third and fourth while Julius Baer Pole Position winner and standings leader Wehrlein came home an eventual fifth just ahead of a battling Oliver Rowland (Nissan) – the Yorkshireman with his hands full with the Porsches for much of the encounter; Antonio Felix da Costa following him across the line in seventh.

Sacha Fenestraz (Nissan), Maximilian Guenther (Maserati MSG Racing) and Norman Nato (Andretti) rounded out the points-paying positions and the top 10.

That leaves Wehrlein top of the standings on 102 points with an extended lead with Jake Dennis’ battle through the pack into the points coming to an abrupt end in contact with Frijns in the tunnel. Cassidy sits second on 95 points, with Dennis six points further back, now third. Just 14 points split first and fourth in the Drivers’ table.

Jaguar TCS Racing top the Teams’ running on 172 points to TAG Heuer Porsche’s 128.

Rounds 9 & 10 of Season 10 follow in Berlin on 11 & 12 May.

Monaco Saturday Race Results – 31 Laps