Nick Cassidy and Jaguar TCS Racing made a significant statement in Diriyah, clinching a podium finish and securing victory in Round 3. Impressively, Cassidy achieved a race win in just his third appearance for Jaguar TCS Racing (his sixth win overall), having recently switched from Envision, whose powertrain is also supplied by Jaguar.
Cassidy's seamless transition from Envision to Jaguar is evident in his exceptional performance, securing podium finishes in all three races of the season so far. Currently, he commands a 19-point lead in the Drivers' Championship, contributing to Jaguar's comfortable lead in the Constructors' Championship
The Kiwi's consistent performance, securing third place in Mexico City, the first Diriyah race, and claiming the top spot in the second Middle East race, solidifies his position as the championship leader. We spoke to the race-winning driver and asked him to reflect on his experience with the new team thus far. He also shares his sentiments about officially racing for the factory team while leading the championship.
When asked about the difference between a factory team and a customer team, Cassidy responded, "Ultimately I have the same car underneath me. So performance-wise, there's really no difference.
"Being with the manufacturer who's now supplying the car means I'm involved in a bit of testing, certainly the development of future cars. I understand more of the software and the reasons why things are done in certain ways. I really love the technical side of motorsport, whether that's mechanical development or software development. Being here at Jaguar gives me a great opportunity to be involved in that, which I'm really enjoying."
Anticipating Challenges Ahead
When asked if he feels any pressure regarding the Formula E season 10 Championship, he said, "I think it's too early. Last year, I was leading halfway through the season and again with three races to go. I've seen how quickly things can change, so I think it's far too early to look at anything championship-related right now."
Cassidy added, "I think once we go to Misano, Shanghai, Portland, Berlin—those are tracks that really suit the Nissan, DS, and Porsche. Many tracks introduced this year probably won't suit us as well, so having a good start is crucial, as I'm expecting tougher races to come where those other teams will be very strong."
For those unfamiliar, in Formula E season 9, Nick Cassidy, while racing for Envision Racing, was among the favourites for the Drivers' World Championship but ultimately lost to Jake Dennis. However, his victory in round 16 helped his team (Envision Racing) clinch the team championship.
Excitement for Japan
Japan holds a significant place in motorsports history, and Nick Cassidy has previously competed in prestigious Japanese racing categories like Super Formula and Super GT championships.
"Nick is really looking forward to racing back in Japan," said James Barclay, Team Principal of Jaguar TCS Racing. "He spent a lot of his junior career there, doing an incredible job racing in Japan, winning F3, Super Formula, and Super GT. So, he's happy to be back out there."
When asked about the race he is looking forward to from the new tracks added to the 2024 Formula E calendar, Barclay mentioned, "Shanghai is an incredible city and a major market for a car company like Jaguar and JLR. So, we're excited to be back in China and in Shanghai as well. Two very different tracks, but both represent huge exciting opportunities for the championship."
The late decision to cancel the Hydrabad E-Prix race in India has left a seven-week gap in the Formula E schedule between Diriyah in January and Sao Paulo next month. Round 4 will be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 16. However, remembering how the race in Hyderabad went for the team, we doubt they would mind the venue being skipped this year.
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