As the FIA Formula E championship roars back into action this weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy has pegged Tag Heuer Porsche as the team to beat. After a dramatic season opener in São Paulo that saw Cassidy and reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein retire in a harrowing crash, the Kiwi is eager to rebound and challenge at the front.
Cassidy’s Confidence Amidst Challenges
Reflecting on the opening race chaos, Cassidy maintained optimism. Despite the setback in Brazil, where Mitch Evans secured an improbable victory for Jaguar after starting last on the grid, Cassidy emphasized the positives.
“We were in the fight all race. It’s a new generation of car, and we’re still competitive. I’ll take that as a big positive,” Cassidy shared.
The Kiwi knows the challenge ahead in Mexico, where Porsche has historically excelled. Last year, Cassidy claimed a podium in third, but it was Wehrlein who triumphed. Cassidy is well aware of the German manufacturer’s dominance at this circuit.
“Porsche is very, very good in Mexico. I expect them to be the reference this weekend, but if we can get close and put up a fight, I’ll be pretty happy,” he admitted.
Qualifying and GEN3 Evo: Game Changers
Cassidy dismissed the notion that qualifying holds less weight on permanent circuits like Mexico, a trend often seen in Formula E.
“I’d say the opposite. Qualifying here is the hardest part, but we’ll see,” Cassidy countered.
He also praised the new GEN3 Evo cars, which debuted this season, for their performance and technological strides.
“It’s extreme. The car’s performance is fantastic, and from a story point of view, it showcases what this championship is all about,” Cassidy said. However, he acknowledged the element of unpredictability, noting, “Some races come down to a little bit of a luck factor, which I’m not 100% sure about yet.”
Wehrlein Crash: A Sobering Reminder
Cassidy revisited the terrifying São Paulo crash that saw Wehrlein’s car collide with the barriers. His immediate concern was for his competitor’s safety.
“The first priority was to make sure he was OK. It’s not nice to see any car in the wall, especially upside down,” Cassidy recalled, expressing relief that Wehrlein escaped without serious injury.
Closing the Gap
While Cassidy views Porsche and Nissan as the current benchmarks, he’s confident Jaguar can close the gap as the season progresses.
“It’s clear Porsche and Nissan are the reference right now, but we’re working super hard to close that gap. São Paulo showed we’re still capable of strong performances.”
The upcoming race marks the end of a long two-month hiatus, a scheduling quirk driven by logistical and political hurdles. Cassidy acknowledged the gap as an opportunity for teams to regroup and refine their approaches.
“We’ve got work to do, but I hope by the time Miami rolls around, we’ll be even stronger and ready to challenge consistently,” Cassidy added.
Eyes on Mexico
As Cassidy gears up for the second round, all eyes will be on Porsche’s ability to maintain its dominance, Jaguar’s fightback, and whether Cassidy can turn his optimism into another podium—or even a victory. Whatever the outcome, Formula E fans are in for an electrifying showdown in Mexico City.