Jaguar TCS Racing tops the times at the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E pre-season test
Jaguar TCS Racing has completed the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship official pre‑season test at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid. The 2024 Teams’ World Champions put the Jaguar I‑TYPE 7 prototype – with all-new GEN3 Evo specification – through its paces with drivers Mitch Evans and Nick Cassidy behind the wheel.
The British team had a constructive week in the Spanish capital across six test sessions in preparation for the new campaign, with Mitch Evans setting the fastest time overall at the pre-season test with a 1:27.461.
Jaguar TCS Racing’s 2024/2025 challenger took to the Jarama track, running in a celebratory testing livery symbolising all 16 of the team’s victories in Formula E to date. The official season‑long livery for the Jaguar I‑TYPE 7 will be unveiled ahead of the season opener in São Paulo, Brazil.
The official pre-season test is a key opportunity for the team to test and develop the new GEN3 Evo technology, including all‑wheel‑drive capability, new bodywork, tyres and all‑new Jaguar powertrain. The team’s test schedule in Jarama included a race simulation over 24 high-speed laps, as well as getting to grips with the all-new Pit Boost charging procedures, updated Attack Mode and latest Hankook iON tyres.
The on-track action in Jarama concluded with the first all-women test session in any FIA Championship, with all 11 Formula E teams fielding some of the most talented drivers in motorsport. Britain’s most decorated female racing driver Jamie Chadwick got behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 7, faring strongly in a competitive field finishing second overall. Unfortunately, Lilou Wadoux was unable to take part in the session due to a seat-fit issue but will be given the opportunity to test with Jaguar again in the future.
The team gained crucial learnings from the three days of testing in Spain, which will be put into practice when the 2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship gets underway in Brazil for the São Paulo E-Prix next month.
James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing Team Principal, said: “Firstly I would like to say thank you to Formula E Operations who have done an incredible job to move the pre-season test to Madrid in such a short timeframe and to ensure our testing activity didn’t impact the emergency services in Valencia. On behalf of the team, we would like to express our gratitude to all those involved and most importantly our thoughts go out to everyone in Valencia at this terrible time.
“With regard to the test this week, it has been a really constructive week for the team. We showed positive signs of performance across the week and especially on the final day. Most importantly the team and drivers have worked incredibly diligently through our planned programme with our new I-TYPE 7 Formula E car. As always, it’s clear that it is going to be a very competitive season of Formula E.
“Finally, it was fantastic to see the first-ever all-women drivers test in Formula E. There was huge strength and depth throughout the field, and we were pleased to welcome Jamie and Lilou to Jaguar TCS Racing. Jamie settled into the Gen 3 Evo Jaguar I-TYPE 7 incredibly well, it was a very professional performance in and out of the car and her speed was clear to see on the timesheets. It was very unfortunate for Lilou that she was unable to get out on track with a seat fit issue, she integrated very well with the team, and she will return to test with us.”
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing Driver #9, said: “Overall, it's been an important week of testing. It is still early days with the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 and there is a lot to learn in terms of performance, but we’ve gathered lots of information and as the week progressed, I believe we’ve got the car into the right window. We’ve made good progress which is the main thing and hopefully we can continue that development as we head towards the Season 11 opener in Brazil.”
Nick Cassidy, Jaguar TCS Racing Driver #37, said: “We’ve carried out a lot of crucial mileage over the course of the week in Madrid, which will hopefully put us on the right path for the season ahead. Everyone in the team has worked extremely hard over the course of the week and I think we’ve been able to make a big leap forward. There is still a lot to do and we have a lot to discover still with the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 in terms of performance, but it has been encouraging throughout the week.”
Jamie Chadwick, Jaguar TCS Racing Driver, said: “It was a really, really enjoyable day here in Madrid. It was great to get a proper taste of the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 Formula E car, and this track is awesome to drive too. I am a little bit disappointed in the end that my final run got a bit messy on my new tyre run with red flags and traffic, I think I probably had more in it. But overall, I enjoyed working with the Jaguar team and I now look forward to Berlin.”
Lilou Wadoux, Jaguar TCS Racing Driver, said: "Despite not being able to get out on track in the test, I learned a lot as part of Jaguar TCS Racing this week. I have enjoyed being a part of the setup which won the championship last year and how competitive Formula E is as a series. It has been a great experience with Jamie [Chadwick] and the team this week and I hope there will be more opportunities in the future."
