Electric Cars

Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing achieved a remarkable victory at the Berlin E-Prix, snapping an 11-race streak without points. This win was particularly significant as he started from pole position and expertly managed persistent brake issues throughout the contest, securing his first points finish since the season's inaugural race.

The New Zealander skillfully navigated the wet conditions, leading for the majority of the race despite facing strong pressure from Pascal Wehrlein, who was determined to secure a home win for himself and the TAG Heuer Porsche team. This triumphant performance also propelled Evans into a tie for the most Formula E victories, now sharing the top spot with former champion Sebastien Buemi, both holding 14 wins.

Evans had initially shown great promise at the start of the season, making history in Sao Paulo, Brazil, by climbing from last to first. This impressive opening suggested a strong year for Jaguar in the Gen3 Evo era, despite earlier reservations from their drivers about the 2024-25 season. Many speculated that this could finally be Evans' year, given his consistent near-misses in championship battles over previous seasons.

However, the early success in Sao Paulo quickly faded into a distant memory, as Evans endured a frustrating period, failing to score points in the subsequent 11 rounds. This challenging period was compounded by three retirements and one non-start in Tokyo. Nevertheless, his recent win in Berlin not only ended this disappointing run but also added a crucial 25 points to his tally. Notably, no additional points were awarded for pole position in qualifying, as the format was adjusted due to adverse weather conditions.

Qualifying procedures were modified for the event, with the grid determined by the overall order within two groups, rather than the usual duel format. Evans showcased exceptional speed from the outset, consistently setting fastest sector times and ultimately claiming the best lap time in qualifying. His final effort was nearly a second quicker than Oliver Rowland of Nissan, who secured the second-best time in the same group. Evans remarked that his car felt like a \"rocketship\" in the damp conditions, enabling him to clinch his 10th career pole position.

The race began cleanly for Evans, who successfully maintained his lead over fellow front-row starter Robin Frijns. An early safety car period was triggered on lap 3 when Jake Dennis's Andretti car stalled on the grid. Once the safety car withdrew, Evans promptly engaged his first Attack Mode, opting for a split strategy of two four-minute activations. Although he briefly conceded a position to Frijns, he quickly regained the lead with the added power. As the track began to dry, Evans extended his advantage. The introduction of 'Pit Boost' for this double-header race saw both Evans and Wehrlein take their mandatory boosts on lap 24 of 41. Evans retained the overall race lead, even as his team alerted him to Wehrlein's remaining Attack Mode, assuring him of their strong position.

It became evident around this juncture that Evans was grappling with significant brake issues. He expressed his apprehension, recalling previous instances where similar problems forced him to retire from races. \"It happened quite a few times,\" he noted, explaining that the issue allowed Wehrlein to close the gap more than he would have preferred. Despite this, he managed the situation effectively, preserving his lead.

Further complicating the race was confusion surrounding blue flags, particularly involving Sergio Sette Camara, who was substituting for Norman Nato at Nissan. Sette Camara had previously collided with David Beckmann of Kiro, forcing Beckmann out of the race. During a safety car deployment, Sette Camara found himself positioned between Evans and Wehrlein. Evans highlighted the ambiguity of the blue flag rules, which had been modified for this specific event. \"It was very confusing because I thought that the no-blue-flags rule was just going to apply around the Pit Boost, but it wasn't the case, so it was really odd. It was a bit confusing,\" Evans explained. He was fortunate to navigate past Sette Camara relatively easily due to his active Attack Mode. Wehrlein echoed this sentiment, stating, \"I found it very weird, what happened. I lost a lot of time behind him... It shouldn’t happen, they should get out of the way on the first corner.\"

Following the safety car's departure, Evans activated his second and final Attack Mode and managed to pass Sette Camara. In the closing laps, despite his persistent brake issues, Evans faced the relentless pursuit of Wehrlein, who was consistently shaving tenths off his lead. A critical error from Wehrlein on the penultimate lap created a sufficient gap, allowing Evans to secure his second victory of the season by a mere four-tenths of a second. Wehrlein finished second, with his Porsche teammate Antonio Felix da Costa initially taking third. However, da Costa was later relegated to 10th place after receiving a five-second penalty for an earlier collision with Jake Hughes of Maserati. This elevated Edoardo Mortara to third, marking his second consecutive podium for Mahindra and moving the Indian outfit to fourth in the teams' standings with three rounds remaining. Evans also acknowledged the strong performance of his teammate Nick Cassidy, who impressively climbed from 21st to fifth despite incurring a ten-second stop-and-go penalty for exceeding the allowed number of inverters for the season.

In a momentous display of performance, Cadillac secured an impressive one-two finish at the recent Sao Paulo 6 Hours of the World Endurance Championship. This victory represents a significant milestone for the American manufacturer, marking their inaugural triumph in the highly competitive series. The success was not without its challenges, as the leading Cadillac team had to overcome an early setback. Meanwhile, the LMGT3 category saw a historic first win for Lexus, adding another layer of excitement to the event. The race at Interlagos proved to be a showcase of strategic prowess and relentless determination across both classes.

Cadillac's dominant performance at Interlagos was the highlight of the Sao Paulo 6 Hours, as their V-Series.R LMDh machines claimed the top two positions. The winning trio of Will Stevens, Alex Lynn, and Norman Nato drove a flawless race, securing Cadillac's first-ever victory in the World Endurance Championship. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering they had to recover from an early penalty for a tire pressure violation, demonstrating the car's formidable pace and the team's resilience. The sister Cadillac, shared by Earl Bamber, Jenson Button, and Sébastien Bourdais, closely followed, ensuring a memorable double podium for the manufacturer.

The race dynamic saw an initial challenge from Porsche, whose 963 LMDh briefly held the lead. However, Cadillac's superior long-run performance and strategic pit stops allowed them to gain a decisive advantage. Alex Lynn's pivotal stint, capitalizing on an undercut strategy during the second round of pit stops, established a lead that his teammates Norman Nato and Sébastien Bourdais further extended. Other major contenders, including Peugeot, BMW, and Ferrari, faced their own struggles. Toyota, in particular, had a disappointing outing, failing to score points for the first time in the Hypercar era due to Balance of Performance adjustments and the circuit's resurfaced track. In the LMGT3 class, Lexus celebrated a historic maiden win with Jose Maria Lopez, Clemens Schmid, and Razvan Umbrarescu, overcoming a pitlane speeding penalty to secure a commanding victory.

Dominance on Track: Cadillac's Breakthrough Victory

Cadillac Racing etched its name into the World Endurance Championship history books with a sensational 1-2 finish at the challenging Interlagos circuit. This was more than just a victory; it was a powerful statement from the American marque, signifying their emergence as a formidable force in global endurance racing. The meticulous preparation and strategic brilliance of the Jota-run Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh vehicles were evident throughout the six-hour endurance test, allowing them to overcome initial hurdles and assert their authority over the field. The flawless execution by the driving trios showcased their unwavering commitment to excellence, demonstrating a perfect blend of speed, consistency, and tactical acumen under pressure. This monumental achievement not only secured a maiden WEC win for Cadillac but also positioned them as serious contenders for future championships.

The lead Cadillac, driven by the accomplished trio of Will Stevens, Alex Lynn, and Norman Nato, displayed exceptional pace and strategic intelligence. Despite incurring an early penalty for a tire pressure infraction, the team remained composed, methodically working their way back to the front. A critical juncture in the race occurred during the second round of pit stops, where Alex Lynn's aggressive driving and the team's efficient pit work, including a smart undercut maneuver, propelled their car into a commanding lead. This advantage was steadily built upon by Nato and Sébastien Bourdais in the sister car, culminating in a significant gap to their rivals. The decisive nature of their victory, with a substantial lead over the third-place Porsche, underscored Cadillac's undeniable performance advantage at Interlagos. This performance sent a clear message to their competitors, establishing Cadillac as a dominant force in the Hypercar category.

Lexus Secures Maiden LMGT3 Win Amidst Manufacturer Struggles

While Cadillac celebrated a historic triumph in the Hypercar class, the LMGT3 category witnessed its own groundbreaking moment as Lexus secured its first-ever victory in the World Endurance Championship. This achievement for Lexus, coupled with Cadillac's strong showing, highlighted a day of significant milestones for various manufacturers. The LMGT3 race was a testament to competitive racing, with teams battling fiercely for positions and showcasing the diverse talent pool within the WEC. Despite facing a penalty themselves, the Lexus team demonstrated remarkable consistency and speed, outmaneuvering their rivals and proving their mettle on the international stage.

The Akkodis ASP Team's Lexus RC F LMGT3, driven by Jose Maria Lopez, Clemens Schmid, and Razvan Umbrarescu, delivered a standout performance, controlling the LMGT3 race for the majority of its duration. Their victory, despite a pitlane speeding penalty, underscored the car's inherent pace and the drivers' ability to manage the race effectively. In contrast, several prominent manufacturers in the Hypercar class encountered difficulties. Ferrari, despite being a Le Mans 24 Hours winner, struggled with Balance of Performance adjustments, resulting in a disappointing finish outside the points. Toyota, a dominant force in previous Interlagos races, also found themselves uncompetitive, attributing their challenges to increased weight, reduced power, and the recently resurfaced track. These varied outcomes underscored the intense competition and the delicate balance of performance regulations that shape the narrative of the World Endurance Championship, making every race a high-stakes battle where unforeseen challenges can dramatically alter fortunes.