For the second consecutive year, Kiwis have claimed the top two steps of the Monaco E-Prix podium, this time with Mitch Evans leading home Jaguar TCS Racing teammate Nick Cassidy for a long-awaited first victory on the famed Monte Carlo street circuit.
“Today has been amazing. A one-two for Jaguar is incredible, but to do it in Monaco makes it even more special,” said Evans. “I’ve led the race here in Monaco many times and have achieved podiums on the streets of Monte Carlo but to have my first win of Monaco and of the season has come at such a good time for me.
“I need to keep scoring big points consistently, and I hope that I can keep this momentum heading into Berlin.
“Most importantly, this win is for Colin Giltrap and his family. Colin has supported my career for over 20 years, and I wouldn’t be racing and following my dreams without him.”
A well-executed team strategy from the British outfit delivered the one-two, with Evans hitting the front over Cassidy when leader Stoffel Vandoorne used his first Attack Mode on Lap 11.
Cassidy backed the trailing pack up to allow his teammate to run clear, use his two Attack Modes, and remain at the front before the duo switched places and reversed roles on Lap 14.
Evans returned to the front as Cassidy used his second Attack Mode on Lap 17, and they remained in that order until the chequered flag.
“Mitch was a deserving winner of the Monaco E-Prix,” said Cassidy. “I was lucky enough to be in this position with him the other way around last year, so I am so happy for him and for everyone here at Jaguar TCS Racing this year.
“We had the performance today on my side of the garage. We struggled slightly more in practice and qualifying, but we were there when it counted, so it was a great team result overall. We can all be really proud of our efforts today.”
The all-Kiwi lineup had earlier locked out the second row in qualifying, behind Vandoorne and pole-sitter Pascal Wehrlein, after minor errors cost both in their semi-final duels.
Wehrlein led a chaotic opening two circuits before using his first Attack Mode on Lap 3, which saw Vandoorne hit the front.
The chaos behind the leaders culminated in a Lap 5 Safety Car after Edoardo Mortara crashed into the barriers hard at the Swimming Pool Chicane while under pressure from Dan Ticktum.
A lengthy intervention was required to remove the Mahindra, and a large amount of debris spread across the track.
Vandoorne used his Attack Mode two laps after the race resumed, which saw Evans hit the front and Cassidy squeeze through to see Jaguar run first and second.
Once in the lead, Evans put the hammer down as Cassidy ran blocker on the pack behind and used his first energy boost the following circuit.
Once his second allotment had been safely activated at the front, Cassidy was given the lead, using his first activation on Lap 15 and his second on Lap 17, dropping behind his compatriot as he began the latter.
A second Safety Car was called on Lap 25 after Nico Muller and Jake Hughes came together, with the former running into the barriers at the penultimate corner.
Evans bolted on the Lap 27 restart as two additional laps were added to a now 31-lap race. His teammate backed off on the penultimate circuit to make space for the fastest lap attempt, which he successfully claimed at the chequered flag.
Vandoorne’s early pace was rewarded with his first DS Penske podium in third, ahead of teammate Jean-Eric Vergne. Wehrlein could only manage fifth, which reduces his championship advantage over the two Kiwis.
“I am so incredibly proud of all the team today,” said Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal James Barclay. “The way the team and drivers worked together was exemplary, and the unity demonstrated by every single member of our group enabled us to make history here in Monaco.
“This was an incredibly strategic race, and the team executed it to perfection. We have two highly intelligent and fast racing drivers, Mitch and Nick, but their strength under pressure and teamwork enabled us to achieve what we did here today.
“We’ve made history and broken a number of records – Jaguar’s first win in Monaco, Mitch’s first win in the Principality and Formula E’s first ever 1-2 on the streets of Monte Carlo. A moment we will remember forever that is also now cast in Jaguar’s fabulous history.”
Cassidy returns to second in the Driver’s Championship, seven points behind Wehrlein, while Evans jumps to fifth, 25 points off the lead.
Jaguar TCS Racing extended their Team’s Championship advantage over Porsche to 44 points.
Formula E returns with the Berlin E-Prix double header in two weeks.
