Evans criticises Jaguar after Formula E finale shock

Mitch Evans criticised Jaguar after losing the Formula E title in the last race of the season in London last weekend after the team went against what it told the driver and Nick Cassidy beforehand.

Evans entered the season finale just three points behind Pascal Wehrlein, who became world champion. The Jaguar driver started in third and quickly overtook Maximilian Günther for second, where he found himself behind Cassidy. 

Things turned frosty very fast, as Evans was instructed by the team to allow a gap between himself and his team-mate. He did not understand why, with the driver having revealed that it was not discussed before the race. 

Evans eventually gained the lead after Cassidy took both of his attack modes, whilst he waited until the final laps to activate his. 

Crucially, he missed an attack mode loop in the closing laps which allowed Wehrlein past, although Evans was likely going to be overtaken regardless due to having significantly less energy than his title rivals. In his eyes, the opening laps lost him the title.

"The attack mode was a shame but it didn't much because [Oliver] Rowland was going to win the race," Evans told RacingNews365. "The damage was done at the start."

Evans heartache

Jaguar entered the season finale with a healthy lead in the teams' championship, which effectively secured the Coventry-based outfit the title baring a disaster. 

The race was not far off from being a disaster, with Cassidy retiring after being hit and Evans finishing third. 

For Evans, it was the instructions to let Cassidy build an advantage in the opening laps which shocked him, as this was not part of the pre-race discussion with team principal James Barclay.

"I wasn't expecting that at all, that was the first-time it has ever been discussed," Evans said, before explaining what him and Cassidy were told they could do before the finale.

"I was allowed to do my attack modes when I want, how I want, same with Nick and then a few minutes into the race I'm told otherwise."

It marks a fourth season in a row where Evans has narrowly missed out on becoming world champion, with him agonisingly pointing that out afterwards.

"Obviously right now, it's hard to see the bigger picture," said Evans. "So disappointing, I'm still in the same position I am the last years. So unsuccessful."

He will, undoubtedly, bounce back stronger and go again next season.