Mitch Evans claims ‘his team worked against him’ during the London E-Prix season finale, as the Jaguar TCS duo lost the Formula E world championship title to Pascal Wehrlein.
Mitch Evans has criticized his Jaguar TCS Racing team for strategic mistakes that cost him the 2024 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the London E-Prix season finale.
The Kiwi was in prime position to claim his maiden Formula E crown heading into the London E-Prix finale, just three points behind Wehrlein. He was confident about his chances following a successful season, which included multiple podium finishes.
However, the pressure mounted as he faced off against not only against Wehrlein but also his teammate Nick Cassidy, who was also in contention for the championship.
Cassidy started from pole with Evans moving up to second at the start, but the latter was ordered by the Jaguar team to make a gap for his team-mate ahead early in proceedings so that Cassidy could take his first Attack Mode activation without losing position.
“I feel a bit blindsided to be honest, compared to what was discussed before the race over the last few days and to what was voiced to me was really surprising and disappointing,” Evans said about the strategy calls.
“I was told we could race freely but that was clearly not the case and that’s what’s cost me the world championship today.
“Obviously I didn’t want to do that but I was forced to, which was never part of any plan, so you can imagine what was going through my head. There’ll be discussions.”
However, Cassidy’s title hopes later took a downturn when he suffered a puncture while running third on lap 29 before a crucial error by the Jaguar pit wall saw Evans miss his final mandatory Attack Mode activation on lap 33, allowing Wehrlein to cruise to the title.
“I felt the line was fine but the first loop didn’t activate,” Evans added. “But to be honest with Rowland being there, if I finished second and Pascal third, he would have won on countback, or it would have been a fight for him to get fastest lap.
“I kinda needed to win so yeah, obviously that didn’t help but the damage was done early on in the race and I was forced to do my Attack Modes late, and it was just avoidable.”
Evans’ disappointment was evident despite the fact that Jaguar claimed its maiden Formula E Teams’ Championship, edging Wehrlein’s Porsche squad that led the teams’ standings for much of the year.
“It’s difficult,” he said. “I guess we got the Teams’ that’s half the job done. But the fact that neither Nick or I walk with the Drivers’ leaves a bitter taste.
“Maybe when I look back in a few months, I’ll potentially (see the positives). I’ve had strong years for a number of years now they’re still obviously missing a big one. So, yeah, it’s hard to see glass half full.
“I want to be happy for the team for winning the teams’ championship, but I feel like we’ve been off our game on this side this weekend and also yeah bit surprised at some of the calls made against me today. A lot of discussions to be held.”
The 29-year-old won the previous round in London and had finished on the podium in six of the last seven races. Additionally, this is the fourth season in a row he has entered the final round with a shot at the title, but missed out on the title yet again by just seven points.
“This one was the most realistic and it was mine for a bit,” he said. “I feel like my own team were working against me at one point, so that’s not nice.”
Despite the disappointment, Evans remains committed to Jaguar and is determined to bounce back next season.
