Final wounded Jaguar chance to ignite Formula E title defence

Jaguar enter this weekend’s return of the Miami E-Prix in a precarious position, having endured a near-unthinkable start to its Formula E teams’ and manufacturers’ titles defence.

The opening four races of Season 11 and the start of Gen3 EVO have seen the Big Cat face more problems than celebrations, the latter it has become accustom to in the all-electric series.

It did receive a shock taste of victory champagne in the São Paulo season-opener last December after Mitch Evans became the first driver in the history of the series to win from last.

That famous win, which will forever be remembered in FE history, has covered some of the outfit’s issues. Following the opening four races, it is already 33 points behind Nissan.

Its deficit to Nissan has not been caused by a lack of hard work from the team nor Evans and Nick Cassidy, but a clear flaw in its Gen3 EVO package. Technical problems have become an unwanted norm this season.

In the season-opener in Brazil, Evans started from last not due to slow pace but a front driveshaft issue, whilst he suffered a brake-by-wire problem in the second race in Saudi Arabia.

On the other side of the garage, Cassidy suffered a technical infringement in Mexico City qualifying, pushing him to the back of the grid.

Unusual Jaguar issues

This is very new for the British manufacturer in the Gen3 era who have, on the whole, been the dominant package. Gen3 EVO has offered a lot of change already, but it would be foolish to think for a second that Jaguar are down and out. Far from it.

FE has a tendency to throw up surprises, it is one of the reasons why it is consistently attracting new fans. In the past, just when Jaguar have looked out of it, the famous team finds its mojo.

The seven-week break since the Jeddah double-header has offered Jaguar, and every team, the opportunity to religiously study the data and also conduct private testing.

If Jaguar has solved its issues and unlocked pace in the car – something which will only be discussed at the Homestead-Miami Speedway – then its title defence is still absolutely on the cards.

However, with Oliver Rowland in his groove and the Porsches set to eventually see its run of bad luck end, Jaguar must react soon to its bad start to the season.

Victory or a podium would be major for them this weekend but, ultimately, not the end of the world if it is not achieved.

More importantly than significant points, the most important thing for Jaguar in Miami is to understand if its problems have been solved and can become a thing of the past. 

If the answer to that question come the chequered flag on Saturday is yes, then its title defence is absolutely on with what will then be 11 races remaining.

If that answer is no, then the chances are FE will crown a new champion in Nissan or Porsche.

The rounds come quickly after Miami, reducing Jaguar’s chances of solving its issues, should they still be present in the United States. It has the drivers to do the job, the duo from New Zealand simply need to be given a strong but, crucially, reliable package.