Jaguar’s reign atop the Formula E world championship tables took a significant hit in the second round of the 2024-25 season. A dismal showing in Mexico City saw the British team’s remarkable 23-race point-scoring streak come to an end, while rivals Porsche and Nissan surged ahead, signaling a shifting balance of power.
The race weekend was a mix of technical mishaps, penalties, and underwhelming performances, casting doubt on Jaguar’s ability to defend their drivers’ and teams’ titles.
Jaguar’s Mexico City meltdown
Both Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy showed initial promise by advancing through the qualifying rounds. However, Cassidy, along with Envision Racing’s Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns, was penalized for exceeding throttle map parameters. The penalty relegated Cassidy to the back of the grid, leaving him to claw his way to a modest 12th-place finish.
Evans, meanwhile, faced a chaotic race. While battling for ninth, he collided with Nico Mueller’s stuttering Andretti Porsche, ending his race prematurely. Reflecting on the weekend, Evans admitted, “We’re not too good at the moment. Porsche is just so strong everywhere, and we’re just hanging on.”
Performance issues pile up
Jaguar’s struggles weren’t limited to penalties or accidents. Nick Cassidy was blunt in his assessment, pointing to a broader decline in the team’s efficiency and energy management. “We’ve definitely fallen behind, and it’s making the races really tough,” he remarked.
The team also faced a learning curve with new Gen3Evo car regulations, which are designed to prevent traction control abuse through throttle map restrictions. Jaguar team principal James Barclay admitted the mapping violation provided no performance advantage but acknowledged the team’s error in exceeding FIA parameters. “We have to respect that and work with the FIA on it,” Barclay said.
A sharp contrast to Sao Paulo success
Jaguar entered Mexico City with high expectations following Evans’ spectacular last-to-first victory in Sao Paulo. That triumph, however, was aided by perfectly timed safety cars and attack mode strategies that neutralized Porsche’s pace advantage. Mexico, by contrast, exposed Jaguar’s vulnerabilities on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult, leaving them unable to replicate their Brazilian heroics.
Porsche and Nissan surge ahead
Porsche’s dominance has become undeniable, with the German automaker showing unmatched consistency and efficiency. Nissan, too, has emerged as a serious contender, muscling into the championship fight and further complicating Jaguar’s path to reclaiming the top spot.
Barclay acknowledged the rising competition, saying, “There’s no doubt that there are more dogs in this fight now, and our job is to get ahead of the curve.”
What’s next for Jaguar?
The upcoming eight-week break before the next race in Jeddah will be pivotal for Jaguar. The team has historically excelled at in-season development, but the pressure is on to address energy efficiency, throttle mapping compliance, and qualifying pace.
Barclay struck a hopeful tone, emphasizing the team’s ability to adapt: “It’s a long season, and we’ve shown we can evolve and develop. The potential is there, but we’ve got work to do.”
Will Jaguar rise again?
With Porsche and Nissan setting the pace, Jaguar faces a steep climb to reclaim their championship momentum. Their ability to rebound in the next round will depend not only on technical improvements but also on maintaining morale within the team. As Mitch Evans put it, “It’s a long road, but we’ve got to find our way back.”