In a race filled with chaos, drama, and precision strategy, Jaguar’s Mitch Evans delivered one of the most remarkable performances in Formula E history at the 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix, the opening round of Season 11. Starting dead last after a disastrous qualifying session, Evans stormed through the field to secure an unprecedented victory, becoming the first driver in the sport’s history to win from the back of the grid.
A Weekend of Trouble Turns into Triumph
Evans’ weekend started on the back foot, with car reliability issues plaguing both practice and qualifying sessions. “There was definitely some concern going into the race,” Evans admitted. “After the problems in qualifying and practice, I wasn’t even sure if I’d finish.”
Despite starting at the back, Evans refused to be discouraged. Lightning-fast opening laps saw him surge past ten cars in just three laps, setting the tone for his incredible recovery. Leveraging Formula E’s attack mode system and a keen sense of race strategy, he navigated the chaos that unfolded around him with precision.
Capitalizing on Chaos: The Red Flags and Restarts
Two red flags punctuated the chaotic race, presenting Evans with critical opportunities to gain ground. The second red flag, caused by an incident involving his teammate Nick Cassidy and reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein, eliminated one of the Jaguars but opened the door for Evans to lead.
Evans acknowledged the role of the stoppages in his success: “The red flags definitely helped in resetting the field. It gave me a chance to think on my feet and adapt my strategy as the race evolved.”
Strategic Masterclass with Attack Mode
A cornerstone of Evans’ victory was his exceptional use of attack mode, Formula E’s strategic power boost system. By timing his activations to perfection and exploiting gaps in his rivals’ strategies, Evans gained crucial positions while managing energy consumption in the demanding Sao Paulo street circuit.
“My engineer was fantastic,” Evans said. “They kept me updated on where everyone was with energy and attack modes. That was invaluable in deciding when to push and when to defend.”
A Nail-Biting Finish
The closing laps were a tense duel between Evans and Porsche’s Antonio Félix da Costa, with the pair separated by mere tenths of a second. Evans held his nerve, fending off da Costa’s late charge to cross the line just three-tenths ahead, securing his historic win.
“I had to improvise a lot, especially with da Costa pushing hard behind me,” Evans revealed. “It was all about defending smartly and making no mistakes in those final laps.”
History Made, Legacy Cemented
Evans’ Sao Paulo win is not just a personal triumph but a landmark moment in Formula E. Overcoming the odds, he showcased the unpredictable and strategic nature of the series, proving that victory is possible even in the most adverse circumstances.
“It’s pretty amazing to come through from the back like that in such a strategic race,” Evans said. “The victory was unexpected but incredibly special given everything we went through this weekend.”
As Season 11 continues, Mitch Evans has set the bar for what’s possible in Formula E. His performance in Sao Paulo will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest comebacks in the sport’s history, leaving fans eager to see what he’ll do next.