- Paul Di Resta and Pietro Fittipali drive the Jaguar I-TYPE 2 and assist with continued development
- Panasonic Jaguar Racing complete important testing ahead of the Santiago E-Prix
Marrakesh, Sunday 14 January: Today, Panasonic Jaguar Racing were joined by Paul Di Resta and Pietro Fittipaldi in the first official rookie test held in Marrakesh. The rookie test took place following yesterday's Marrakesh E-Prix where Nelson Piquet Jr finished in fourth place. Both drivers experienced Formula E for the first time and assisted the British team continue to develop the Jaguar I-TYPE 2. Paul Di Resta completed 71 laps finishing fourth fastest of the day and Pietro Fittipaldi completed a total of 60 laps finishing second overall.
Paul Di Resta: "It's the first time I've been to an E-Prix and it's the first time I've driven a Formula E car. I came in with a very open mind trying to understand more how the cars operate and understand the championship.
When you see how exciting the racing was yesterday and how unpredictable it can be I definitely think the format and the way it works is appealing. This is the way this generation of the automotive industry is going so there is interest and more manufacturers coming in so I'm excited to see where it's going. How technology can move on in motor racing is quite incredible and equally in ten years' time I'm sure it will be a very different car to the one I'm driving now."
Pietro Fittipaldi: "It's been great being with Panasonic Jaguar Racing in Marrakesh. It's really opened my eyes to the championship. Nelson Piquet Jr is a great friend of mine, and he's been helping me today. I was most surprised by the amount of power the cars have. The Jaguar I-TYPE 2 is running really well, especially on the street circuit over bumps and curves. The amount of technology behind the cars, and how hard the team are pushing to develop the car is amazing. It's the highest standard I've seen and I'm excited to be here."
James Barclay, Team Director Panasonic Jaguar Racing: "Today has been a really useful day for the team and our continued development of the Jaguar I-TYPE 2. Well done to Pietro and Paul who have really integrated into the team all weekend. They are total professionals and have provided great feedback to the engineers. I would like to thank them both for their input and commitment. We will back to it tomorrow to prepare for Formula E's first visit to Chile in a few weeks."
-Ends-
For further information about Panasonic Jaguar Racing, please contact:
Phoebe Eaton, Race Team Media Officer, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Tel: +44 (0) 7825 255 553
Email: phoebe.eaton@jaguarracing.com
Adrian Atkinson, Global PR Manager, Panasonic Jaguar Racing
Tel: T: +44 (0) 7979 554 005
Email: aatkins5@jaguarlandrover.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT PANASONIC JAGUAR RACING
Jaguar returned to racing in October 2016, becoming the first premium manufacturer to join the all-electric FIA Formula E Championship street racing series.
Jaguar's Formula E programme will create tangible R&D benefits for the electrification of future Jaguar Land Rover road cars and is designed around the team's founding principle, 'Race to Innovate'.
Manufacturers can design their own powertrain, which includes the motor, transmission, inverter and the rear suspension. Common components across all teams to control costs include the carbon fibre chassis and battery. The focus is on developing electric vehicle powertrains.
Beyond its all-electric concept, Formula E is unique in the world of motorsport for its choice of venues. With the exception of the Mexico E-Prix, every round of the championship takes place on temporary street circuits in the centre of the world's major cities. All track action including practice, qualifying and racing takes place in a single day. Beginning on December 2, the 2017/18 calendar includes 14 races in 11 cities, including double-header races in Hong Kong and New York.