Mitch Evans exorcised the demons of last year’s Sao Paulo heartbreak with a jaw-dropping victory in the 2024 Formula E Season 11 opener. Starting dead last on the grid, the Jaguar TCS Racing driver turned an impossible situation into a triumphant comeback, using a blend of strategic mastery, precise energy management, and a touch of luck to claim a stunning win.
A Nightmare Start Turned Into a Dream Race
Evans’s weekend began disastrously, with practice sessions curtailed by a powertrain issue and a brake system problem in qualifying leaving him without a time on the board. Starting 22nd, Evans admitted he initially had modest hopes.
“Honestly, I just wanted to see the checkered flag,” Evans said. “After the problems in practice and missing qualifying, it was just about surviving the race.”
Attack Mode: The Game-Changer
A pivotal factor in Evans’s success was his expert use of Attack Mode, a new feature for the Gen3 Evo era that adds front-wheel drive and a significant power boost for a cumulative eight minutes. Evans delayed his final deployment, allowing him to surge past competitors who had already exhausted theirs.
“It was eye-opening how much progress others were making with Attack Mode,” Evans explained. “I trusted my gut, timed it right, and kept an eye on energy management. It all came together, but you never know how these things will end.”
Pressure from Da Costa and the McLarens
The victory was far from secure. TAG Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa hounded Evans relentlessly in the closing laps, a scenario that echoed Evans’s gut-wrenching last-lap loss in Sao Paulo last year.
“I didn’t believe it was mine until the last corner of the last lap,” Evans admitted. “Those final laps with da Costa breathing down my neck were brutal. I still can’t believe we held on.”
Adding to the tension were NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird, who capitalized on an unusual sequence of events involving drive-through penalties and two red flag periods. The restarts allowed them to conserve energy, giving them a significant advantage in the final stages.
“I was aware of their energy advantage,” Evans said. “It’s something to look into because gaining back a lap in such a way creates a massive benefit. But hey, I can’t complain too much—I benefited from the red flags as well.”
Red Flags: A Crucial Stroke of Luck
Evans acknowledged that the second red flag played a crucial role in his victory. The reset increased the energy targets for all cars, enabling him to manage his pace while fending off challengers.
“If the target had stayed as low as it was before the last red flag, I think da Costa would’ve walked past us,” Evans said. “The red flag bumped it up just enough for us to hang on.”
Redemption and Unexpected Triumph
For Evans, the victory was not just about starting the season on a high note but also about redemption after last year’s crushing defeat in Sao Paulo.
“It feels like I’ve made up for last year, but this win is so unexpected given everything that happened in qualifying,” he said. “I’ll take it, even if I’m still a bit in shock.”
Looking Ahead
Evans’s miraculous win sets the stage for what promises to be an unpredictable and fiercely competitive Formula E season. With the new Attack Mode dynamics, evolving strategies, and high-pressure racing, the opening round has already delivered fireworks.
Evans’s performance, fueled by grit and strategic brilliance, is a reminder of why Formula E continues to captivate fans worldwide. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on the reigning Sao Paulo king as he seeks to add more improbable victories to his growing legacy.