Cassidy Breaking news, exclusive interviews & reports - Motorsport Week https://www.motorsportweek.com/tag/cassidy/ Motorsport Week is an independent, FIA accredited motorsport website delivering the latest Formula 1, Formula E, GP2, GP3, WEC, IndyCar, Nascar, Formula 3, WRC, WRX, DTM, IMSA and MotoGP news and results. Thu, 07 Aug 2025 15:51:49 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.png Cassidy Breaking news, exclusive interviews & reports - Motorsport Week https://www.motorsportweek.com/tag/cassidy/ 32 32 Formula E warned: Gen4 is ‘make or break’ for championship’s future https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/07/formula-e-warned-gen4-is-make-or-break-for-championships-future/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/07/formula-e-warned-gen4-is-make-or-break-for-championships-future/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:45:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=218933 Formula E is braced for its "make or break" Gen4 era. Image: Daniel Buergin

Formula E star Nick Cassidy has warned that the forthcoming Gen4 era is potentially a "make or break" moment in the all-electric championship's history..

The post Formula E warned: Gen4 is ‘make or break’ for championship’s future appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
Formula E is braced for its "make or break" Gen4 era. Image: Daniel Buergin

Formula E star Nick Cassidy has warned that the forthcoming Gen4 era is potentially a “make or break” moment in the all-electric championship’s history..

FE has just completed its 11th season, with its most powerful car yet, the updated package of its existing Gen3 model, which saw cars reach 0-60 mph in 1.82 seconds.

The all-wheel drive addition to the car in qualifying and Attack Mode also saw lap records on existing circuits shattered, proving the series’ consistent progress.

Gen4 is set to begin in Season 13, which is set to commence in December 2026, with a car that has been speculated to reach laptimes between 6-10 seconds faster.

Power output will be nearly doubled, with the car projected to reach 600 kW, with RACER reporting that a early spec of the car, piloted by former driver James Rossiter, reached over 200mph at a private test in Spain.

The FIA’s regulations for the Gen4 car that were published in June appear to corroborate the claims of former Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

The Brazilian legend told media including Motorsport Week at the Season 11 opener in Sao Paulo that the car is “going to be faster than the Formula 2 at Monaco”.

Cassidy, who is expected to be announced as a driver for a Stellantis-backed team for Season 12, has said that the Gen4 era could determine the series’ future.

“Yeah, I mean, fantastic for the sport to keep moving,” the Kiwi told Motorsport Week. “Gen1, Gen2, Gen3, and now Gen4. I think the performance increase is fantastic.

“It’s going to be, I think, quite a different category. I hope it brings an excitement level not really seen in the championship.

“It’s almost make or break for us, right? So, yeah, let’s see, but it looks very positive.”

Formula E's Gen4 car is will be heavier and much faster. Drawings courtest of the FIA
Formula E's Gen4 car is will be heavier and much faster. Drawings courtest of the FIA
Formula E’s Gen4 car is will be heavier and much faster. Drawings courtesy of the FIA

A quicker Formula E car ‘will turn motorsport fans’

Two other major changes for the series is the apparent introduction of a second tyre compound to combat heavily wet conditions, and the increase of the car’s weight by around 150 kg.

Cassidy acknowledged that these are two pivotal changes that have see an achivement of overall improvement.

However, he affirmed that speed will ultimately be the biggest factor in what could attract new fans, many of whom are still sceptical about its place in motorsport.

“I think the first point is making sure we do hit those targets, and that means from the tyre point of view, from the weight point of view, etc.,” he said.

“That with those two performance aspects on the car, where you can change the performance level so drastically.

“It’s important we have those in the right window that we can show the ultimate speed.

“And I think if we can achieve that, then 100% we will turn motorsport fans.”

READ MOREFormula E star nears Stellantis drive after Peugeot WEC announcement

The post Formula E warned: Gen4 is ‘make or break’ for championship’s future appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/07/formula-e-warned-gen4-is-make-or-break-for-championships-future/feed/ 13
Formula E star nears Stellantis drive after Peugeot WEC announcement https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/05/formula-e-star-nears-stellantis-drive-after-peugeot-wec-announcement/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/05/formula-e-star-nears-stellantis-drive-after-peugeot-wec-announcement/#respond Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:08:42 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=218928 Nick Cassidy's highly speculated arrival at a Stellantis team looks more certain than ever. Image: Emma Ridgway

Formula E star Nick Cassidy is nearing confirmation of a drive with a Stellantis-powered team for next season after being announced for a WEC outing with Peugeot.

The post Formula E star nears Stellantis drive after Peugeot WEC announcement appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
Nick Cassidy's highly speculated arrival at a Stellantis team looks more certain than ever. Image: Emma Ridgway

Formula E star Nick Cassidy is nearing confirmation of a drive with a Stellantis-powered team for next season after being announced for a World Endurance Championship outing with Peugeot.

The Kiwi’s exit from Jaguar TCS Racing was formally announced at the end of Season 11, which ended with Cassidy winning both races in the double-header finale in London.

Rumours have pointed towards the likelihood that Cassidy will join a Stellantis team, most likely the Maserati MSG Racing, which is thought to be being given a rebrand to another organisation owned by the multinational conglomerate.

These rumours are now bolstered after Peugeot’s – a Stellantis-backed brand – WEC squad teased Cassidy’s involvement at the Lone Star Le Mans event at COTA in September.

Formed as a mock Instagram direct message chat, the announcement saw Peugeot ‘message’ Cassidy, saying it has booked him a flight to Austin for September.

“Let’s chat 2025/2026 WEC plans. You in?” it concluded.

“I’ll be recharging this summer, but can’t wait to catch up in Austin. Let’s talk soon!” Cassidy ‘replied’.

Nick Cassidy, and Team Principal James Barclay, signed off from Jaguar in style in London. Image: Emma Ridgway
Nick Cassidy, and Team Principal James Barclay, signed off from Jaguar in style in London. Image: Emma Ridgway

It’s clear that if Cassidy will be handed a permanent drive for the French marque in WEC, it will dovetail with FE duties, reaffirming his commitment to the all-electric championship in London.

“I think I’ve been clear for many years that I really enjoy driving here,” he told Motorsport Week. “I really enjoy the technical challenge. And for me, it’s a massive focus to be here and successful for a very long time.”

Cassidy’s potentially imminent announcement would shake-up the organisation’s two driver line-ups, with further speculation pointing towards DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne as his team-mate.

Further speculation has indicated that Taylor Barnard will take his place at the Franco-American squad, with Motorsport Week understanding that the young Brit’s confirmation is weeks away.

This leaves Britain’s Jake Hughes on the precipice, along with his current Maserati team-mate, Season 8 champion Stoffel Vandoorne.

The Belgian confirmed to Motorsport Week at the Berlin E-Prix last month that he has a Stellantis contract for next year [including a WEC seat with Peugeot], but was tight-lipped on the further details.

READ MOREPorsche Formula E star reveals a ’50/50′ chance of staying next season

The post Formula E star nears Stellantis drive after Peugeot WEC announcement appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/08/05/formula-e-star-nears-stellantis-drive-after-peugeot-wec-announcement/feed/ 0
Miami E-Prix: Nick Cassidy and Taylor Barnard fastest in free practice sessions https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/12/miami-e-prix-nick-cassidy-and-taylor-barnard-fastest-in-free-practice-sessions/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/12/miami-e-prix-nick-cassidy-and-taylor-barnard-fastest-in-free-practice-sessions/#respond Sat, 12 Apr 2025 12:55:52 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=204464 Sam Bird of Great Britain driving the (8) NEOM McLaren Formula E Team Nissan e-4ORCE 05 Dan Ticktum of Great Britain driving the (33) CUPRA KIRO Porsche 99X Electric WCG3 during Shakedown & Practice ahead of the Miami E-Prix, Round 5 of the 2025 FIA Formula E World Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on April 11, 2025 in Homestead, Florida

Nick Cassidy and Taylor Barnard have set the early pace in the free practice sessions ahead of the Formula E Miami E-Prix.

The post Miami E-Prix: Nick Cassidy and Taylor Barnard fastest in free practice sessions appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
Sam Bird of Great Britain driving the (8) NEOM McLaren Formula E Team Nissan e-4ORCE 05 Dan Ticktum of Great Britain driving the (33) CUPRA KIRO Porsche 99X Electric WCG3 during Shakedown & Practice ahead of the Miami E-Prix, Round 5 of the 2025 FIA Formula E World Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on April 11, 2025 in Homestead, Florida

Nick Cassidy and Taylor Barnard have set the early pace in the free practice sessions ahead of the Formula E Miami E-Prix.

The Kiwi, who told Motorsport Week on Thursday that the team may struggle until the GEN4 commencement in two seasons’ time, went fastest on Friday afternoon with a 1:23.785s, a tenth-of-a-second ahead of Tag Heuer Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa.

On Saturday morning, Barnard was faster, despite the early morning start allaying the track temperature.

The NEOM McLaren youngster was around four tenths quicker, with a 1:23.339, with da Costa second again, almost two tenths down.

The Homestead-Miami Speedway has provided a new challenge for FE drivers, the NASCAR circuit being a different monster to the usual circuits the all-electric championship, and so far we have seen some incidents.

The Porsches of da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein nearly came together in FP1, with DS Penske’s Jean-Eric Vergne spinning in FP2.

READ MOREMahindra Formula E boss says speed with new car gives ‘good satisfaction’

The post Miami E-Prix: Nick Cassidy and Taylor Barnard fastest in free practice sessions appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/12/miami-e-prix-nick-cassidy-and-taylor-barnard-fastest-in-free-practice-sessions/feed/ 0
Jaguar Formula E star says team is ‘locked-in’ to performance issues until GEN4 https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/11/jaguar-formula-e-star-says-team-is-locked-in-to-performance-issues-until-gen4/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/11/jaguar-formula-e-star-says-team-is-locked-in-to-performance-issues-until-gen4/#respond Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:44:41 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=204212 Nick Cassidy of New Zealand and Jaguar TCS Racing in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the Jeddah E-Prix, Round 3 of the 2025 FIA Formula E World Championship at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on February 14, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jaguar TCS Racing's Nick Cassidy has admitted the team is likely to have performance issues with its Formula E challenger until the GEN4 era, which commences in two seasons' time.

The post Jaguar Formula E star says team is ‘locked-in’ to performance issues until GEN4 appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
Nick Cassidy of New Zealand and Jaguar TCS Racing in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the Jeddah E-Prix, Round 3 of the 2025 FIA Formula E World Championship at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on February 14, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy has admitted the team is likely to have performance issues with its Formula E challenger until the GEN4 era, which commences in two seasons’ time.

The Kiwi has seen Jaguar go from Teams’ Championship winners and Drivers’ Championship contenders – having lost out on the title at the final round last season – to struggling in this campaign.

Despite team-mate Mitch Evans winning the opening round in São Paulo, the ‘big cat’ has seen a significant downturn in performance, lagging behind rivals Tag Heuer Porsche and Nissan.

Cassidy picked-up his first points of the season last time out in Jeddah, using his significantly-honed peloton race skills to navigate his way to fifth place, narrowly missing-out on a podium finish.

Speaking to Motorsport Week at the Homestead-Miami Speedway before Saturday’s Miami E-Prix, Cassidy was frank about the likelihood that Jaguar isn’t in the best place to rediscover the form it has found over the last few seasons, and that it was unable to implement all of its desired improvements to the package in the eight-week gap FE wasn’t racing.

“We’re really pushing, but certainly only 50 percent of the wish list was completed; unfortunately it looks like we’re going to be locked in with a certain performance element for one-and-a-half years now, which isn’t ideal.”

When asked, despite the demoralising development, if he is approaching each race with a level of self-belief, Cassidy was philosophical.

“Yeah, that’s all I’ve got to do right? So just make the best of what I’ve got, try to improve as much as we can, but it’s going to be tough for sure.”

The big cat’s purr has descended into a whimper so far this season. Image: Formula E

Cassidy keen to keep FE on the streets

As GEN4 draws nearer and nearer, with its debut in Season 13 slated to start at the end of next year, the projected car has been said to be at speeds similar to a current Formula 2 car.

This naturally renders a number of the current tracks on the calendar unable to host races from this time, which has caused worry amongst drivers and fans that the calendars thereon will include more permanent facilities, which goes against what many of the drivers refer to as the ‘DNA’ of the championship.

“Yeah I mean there’s a lot of elements to it right?” Cassidy conceded. “There’s cost, there’s the type of car, the type of races, commercial partners, manufacturers, so I think that there’s so much that goes into building street circuits and making them work on the calendar.

“It’s well out of my league to make that happen, but I’m just a race driver and I love driving on the streets.”

READ MOREFive talking points ahead of the 2025 Formula E Miami E-Prix

The post Jaguar Formula E star says team is ‘locked-in’ to performance issues until GEN4 appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/04/11/jaguar-formula-e-star-says-team-is-locked-in-to-performance-issues-until-gen4/feed/ 0
Motorsport Week’s top five Formula E drivers of 2024 https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/08/13/motorsport-weeks-top-five-formula-e-drivers-of-2024/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/08/13/motorsport-weeks-top-five-formula-e-drivers-of-2024/#respond Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:30:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=174968

Season 10 of the FIA Formula E World Championship was perhaps the most dramatic in the sport’s decade-long history. Many drivers showed their class, but only five can make Motorsport Week’s list of top performers. So, who are they? 5 Nick Cassidy Cassidy matched his superb Season 9 showing with a fabulous debut season for […]

The post Motorsport Week’s top five Formula E drivers of 2024 appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>

Season 10 of the FIA Formula E World Championship was perhaps the most dramatic in the sport’s decade-long history. Many drivers showed their class, but only five can make Motorsport Week’s list of top performers. So, who are they?

5 Nick Cassidy

Cassidy matched his superb Season 9 showing with a fabulous debut season for Jaguar TCS Racing. An early-season victory in Diriyah set the tone for a title challenge that saw plenty of incredible performances, most notably his victory in Berlin Race 1, in which he dragged himself from 19th place to take victory, earning him the moniker Prince of the Peloton.

However, Cassidy’s agonising season conclusion began in Portland. On the penultimate lap, with a win due to cement a buffer of around 50 points, the Kiwi spun in the lead, dropping out of the points, opening-up the title race.

Nick Cassidy drove superbly all year, but one mistake in America cost him the championship. Image: Formula E

A further non-points finish in Race 2 confined him to a final weekend showdown. Despite a fantastic damage limitation drive in Race 1, a strategic blunder by his team left him in the clutches of other cars, and contact with Antonio Felix da Costa deflated his right rear tyre, as well as his championship hopes.

Despite the watershed moments that rendered his season fruitless, nothing should take away the performances that have confirmed that Cassidy is one of the very top drivers in Formula E, and with the right car beneath him, Season 11 could be his year.

4 Mitch Evans

The second Kiwi in the second Jaguar, Evans, like his countryman and good friend Cassidy, came desperately close to the title. After scoring points in five out of the first six races, Evans’ high point came at the midway point of the season, leading-home brilliant Jaguar one-two in Monaco.

Evans would go on to score points in every remaining race, including picking-up another win in Shanghai. A double podium in London would ultimately not be enough to give him the championship, further emphasising the reputation of being the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Mitch Evans once again came so near to the championship – can he finally go a stage better next time around? Image: Formula E

His big moment would also come in Portland, inheriting the lead after Cassidy’s spin, but not given the win due to an earlier time penalty, harshly given for a clash with Jake Hughes. If Evans continues to drive in the manner we are all used to seeing, then a first Formula E title will surely not be too far away.

3 Antonio Felix da Costa

After an underwhelming debut season with Porsche, da Costa entered Season 10 with two poor weekends in Mexico and Diriyah. Within the seven-week wait between that weekend and Sao Paulo, Porsche made the bold move to test ABT Cupra’s Nico Müller with a view to replacing da Costa.

Other drivers may have crumbled, but not da Costa. With points finishes in Sao Paulo and Tokyo, the Portuguese arrived in Misano with the news of Müller’s test off the presses, and brushed it off accordingly with a fantastic win…only to be disqualified six hours later for an illegal throttle damper spring.

Antonio Felix da Costa overcame the possibility of losing his seat to take four Formula E wins. Image: Emma Ridgway

Shrugging off any thoughts of ‘woe me’, da Costa continued to score points in Monaco and Berlin Race 1, before finally taking a win he could keep in the second race. He followed this up with a dominant showing in Shanghai, and then taking both races in Portland, to keep himself in title contention.

Da Costa’s redemption arc was one of the stories of Season 10, and that level of form will make him one of the early-season favourites for title glory once we start again in December.

2 Pascal Wehrlein

Wehrlein, like Cassidy, set the tone for his season early-on, with a lights-to-flag victory from pole position in the opening round in Mexico. The pole was a pivotal turning-point for the Tag Heuer Porsche team, with qualifying having been their Achilles’ Heel across Season 9, which cost the German a shot at glory, having been the title-leader at the halfway stage then.

Like Evans, Wehrlein would consistently pick-up points, earning another victory in Misano, as well as second in Shanghai, having battled both Jaguars at very close quarters. Taking 13 points in Portland would enable him to set himself up for the championship in London, and, despite being 12 points adrift, a superb win in Race 1 and second in Race 2 saw him capitalise on Jaguar’s mishaps and take his first FE title.

Pascal Wehrlein defied the odds and took the title in London. Image: Duncan White

Ultimately, the man with the most points deserved the title, and Wehrlein was without a doubt the deserving claimant of the crown and based on this level of form, don’t ever doubt the possibility of him retaining it.

1 Oliver Rowland

Motorsport Week’s Formula E driver of the year goes to Oliver Rowland, and for very good reason.

Having quit Mahindra Racing midway through Season 9, Rowland’s Formula E career looked to be done, but his old employers Nissan took a chance on bringing him back.

And what a repayment Rowland made in their faith. After missing-out on points in round one and Race 1 in Diriyah, Race 2 would see his first podium finish since 2022, the first of a four-race podium streak, culminating in the inheritance of da Costa’s disqualified Misano success. A double victory would have been achieved had the second race been a lap shorter, having lost energy with just a matter of corners to go.

Two third place finishes in Berlin would follow, as well as more points in Shanghai. Although mathematically capable of winning the title at the final weekend, missing Portland due to illness was what would put paid to his chances, and one wonders what might have been had he been able to drive?

Oliver Rowland: Motorsport Week’s Driver of the Year. Image: Formula E

However, it did not put the dampener on London, with Rowland taking his second win of the season and perhaps his greatest. From ninth on the grid, Rowland navigated is way through all the chaos and drama of the title fight to take the victory in Race 2.

If da Costa’s redemption arc was the saviour of his drive, then Rowland’s was the saviour of his career. After hiring a sports psychologist before the season commenced, Rowland has never looked stronger behind the wheel of an FE car, and if Nissan can provide him with one that is consistently quick enough, his Season 11 title credentials are very high indeed.

Honourable mentions

One driver that impressed throughout the season was Maximilian Günther. The German took victory in Tokyo and had a string of superb drives, which appears to have earned him a yet-to-be-confirmed move to DS Penske.

It would be churlish to not mention Taylor Barnard either. Still 19 at the time, Barnard was given just 20 minutes to prepare for FP2 in Monaco, with Sam Bird having injured his hand in FP1. Barnard would finish the race in 14th place, and whilst deputising for Bird again in Berlin, the F2 regular would finish in the points in both races. With Jake Hughes leaving for Maserati MSG Racing, Barnard is the favourite to take a full-time drive next season.

Outgoing champion Jake Dennis would be right to lay some blame on the failure of his title defence on his Andretti’s inability to get hooked-up in qualifying, but it did not deter him from putting together some fantastic drives, with four podiums, including a stunning 14-second victory in Diriyah, the second-highest win margin for a driver in Formula E history.

The post Motorsport Week’s top five Formula E drivers of 2024 appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/08/13/motorsport-weeks-top-five-formula-e-drivers-of-2024/feed/ 0
Da Costa apologises to Cassidy for title-changing London incident https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/24/da-costa-apologises-to-cassidy-for-title-changing-london-incident/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/24/da-costa-apologises-to-cassidy-for-title-changing-london-incident/#respond Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:58:28 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=173050

Antonio Felix da Costa has taken to social media to publicly apologise to Nick Cassidy for the collision that altered the course of this year’s FIA Formula E World Championship. The Portuguese driver tangled with Cassidy’s Jaguar in the final race of season to take the Kiwi out of contention, having come into the weekend […]

The post Da Costa apologises to Cassidy for title-changing London incident appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>

Antonio Felix da Costa has taken to social media to publicly apologise to Nick Cassidy for the collision that altered the course of this year’s FIA Formula E World Championship.

The Portuguese driver tangled with Cassidy’s Jaguar in the final race of season to take the Kiwi out of contention, having come into the weekend 12 points clear at the top of the Drivers’ championship.

The incident allowed da Costa’s team-mate Pascal Wehrlein to come through to win the title for the first time, but resulted in a five second time penalty for da Costa, dropping him out of the order and ultimately handing the new Manufacturers’ crown to Jaguar, with Porsche having claimed the trophy after the initial result.

Writing on his X account, da Costa, after reflecting on his own personal season, said:

“Lastly, to put this to bed, I have spoken with Nick, and by putting my self in his shoes I can not even start to imagine the pain he is feeling. I’ve apologized to him, his family and his team.”

“The way he behaved, and the way he drove last Sunday, is not short from what the best drivers in the world are doing. We’ve always raced clean and I hope we can keep doing it for a few more years.

Over the weekend, da Costa told Motorsport Week that he was happy his early-season issues with Porsche had been resolved

“Honestly, I’m so happy I was able to turn things around and put myself back into a position of strength in all areas on the driving and the results side, as well as the contractual situation,” he said.

“Results are king in this sport, and I’m happy to be on that side of things.”

The post Da Costa apologises to Cassidy for title-changing London incident appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/24/da-costa-apologises-to-cassidy-for-title-changing-london-incident/feed/ 0
‘Heartbroken’ Cassidy reflects on painful title loss, as Evans questions if he will ever become champion https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/22/heartbroken-cassidy-reflects-on-painful-title-loss-as-evans-questions-if-he-will-ever-become-champion/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/22/heartbroken-cassidy-reflects-on-painful-title-loss-as-evans-questions-if-he-will-ever-become-champion/#respond Mon, 22 Jul 2024 11:30:00 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=172789

Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans spoke to Motorsport Week moments after the FIA Formula E season finale in London, in which the Kiwi’s longstanding title lead was overturned by Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein. Cassidy put himself back into contention with a stunning pole position in the afternoon, but after what appeared to be a misguided team […]

The post ‘Heartbroken’ Cassidy reflects on painful title loss, as Evans questions if he will ever become champion appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>

Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans spoke to Motorsport Week moments after the FIA Formula E season finale in London, in which the Kiwi’s longstanding title lead was overturned by Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein.

Cassidy put himself back into contention with a stunning pole position in the afternoon, but after what appeared to be a misguided team strategy, both he and team-mate Mitch Evans lost-out to Wehrlein.

Cassidy, visibly upset and understandably devastated, told Motorsport Week that he will struggle to think about turning his disappointment into motivation for next season, as well as taking the positives of this season, his first for Jaguar TCS Racing, in which he has driven brilliantly on numerous occasions.

“Ultimately, I’m heartbroken, because in five years’ time, no-one will remember that [his season form],” he said, adding: “But at the same time, I’m incredibly proud, I feel like I proved a point, especially today, but It hasn’t gone our way.

“It’s two years in a row where I feel like I should’ve won the championship, especially this year.”

Evans has questioned whether he will ever become the Formula E champ. Image: Formula E

Evans, also distraught at another lost chance to win the championship, having been so close on so many occasions, questioned whether if his time will ever arrive.

“I’m not sure. I’ve been in the battle for the last five years. If it didn’t come today, who knows when it’ll come, if it ever comes?”

Yesterday, Evans said that losing-out to Wehrlein in Race 1 was largely down to Wehrlein gaining energy from being in the tow of the Jaguar for much of the event, when asked if the roles had been reversed, it might have worked for him, Evans said: “It’s hard to know, but probably.”

The post ‘Heartbroken’ Cassidy reflects on painful title loss, as Evans questions if he will ever become champion appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/22/heartbroken-cassidy-reflects-on-painful-title-loss-as-evans-questions-if-he-will-ever-become-champion/feed/ 0
London E-Prix: Cassidy overcomes mechanical gremlins to take pole position https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/21/london-e-prix-cassidy-overcomes-mechanical-gremlins-to-take-pole-position/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/21/london-e-prix-cassidy-overcomes-mechanical-gremlins-to-take-pole-position/#comments Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:59:04 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=172724

Nick Cassidy’s World Championship hopes received a huge boost by taking pole position for Race 2 of the London E-Prix. The Jaguar man, having been angered by an earlier brake by wire issue that threatened his participation in qualifying, stormed through each round and defeated Maserati’s Max Günther in the final, the German in a […]

The post London E-Prix: Cassidy overcomes mechanical gremlins to take pole position appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>

Nick Cassidy’s World Championship hopes received a huge boost by taking pole position for Race 2 of the London E-Prix.

The Jaguar man, having been angered by an earlier brake by wire issue that threatened his participation in qualifying, stormed through each round and defeated Maserati’s Max Günther in the final, the German in a real position to play a huge role in the outcome of the title.

The second Jaguar and fellow title contender Mitch Evans qualified third, keeping his chances firmly high, with Pascal Wehrlein placing his Porsche just behind in fourth.

Robin Frijns, despite nursing an injured hand from his crash with Jake Dennis in Race 1, qualified fifth, with Jean-Éric Vergne sixth. Team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne, in his final race with the DS Penske team, was seventh, with home favourite Sam Bird eighth.

Oliver Rowland narrowly missed out on the head-to-heads with ninth, with Antonio Felix da Costa 10th, the Porsche team hoping he can make his way through the field come the race in order to help Wehrlein’s charge.

HOW QUALIFYING UNFOLDED

GROUPS

After the disastrous FP3, Cassidy set his stall out early in Group A, setting some neat and quick laps before pushing harder as the clock began to tick down, setting a 1:10.323. Wehrlein could only manage a tenth slower, with Bird and Frijns following them into the duel stages. Oliver Rowland, Sebastien Buemi – who shone in Race 1 – and Jake Dennis were the big casualties.

In Group B, da Costa and Vandoorne were the early pace-setters, with Evans seemingly suffering from a steering issue. With just over two minutes to go, Evans went quickest with a 1:10.509, but was still vulnerable to losing out. Günther bettered it by a tenth of a second. Both Penskes made it through, both a tenth quicker than da Costa, who could not better his time enough to make it through.

DUELS

The first head-to-head would pit Wehrlein against Bird, the McLaren took a 1:10.598, but Wehrlein was too strong and blitzed into the semi-final stage by nearly four tenths of a second.

Frijns-Cassidy would see both drivers send it, leaving no inch. Cassidy’s lap was on the scrappy side, bouncing over the kerbs and sliding his way through the later stages of the lap, brushing the wall just before the re-entry into the indoor section, but with ultimately see-off Frijns with a lap of 1:10.212, a tenth quicker.

Evans would attempt to make it three title contenders from three to make it to the semi duels, but would have to defeat Vandoorne, who clocked-in a 1:10.434, but the Jaguar was too quick, coming through with a lap two tenths up on the Penske.

The final duel would see Günther against Vergne, an even match given the Maserati’s pace across the weekend and the Frenchman’s nous over a single lap, but it would be the German who went faster, but by only seven hundredths of a second with a 1:10.281.

SEMI-FINALS

The first semi would provide the ultimate nerve-jangling scenario, with Wehrlein against Cassidy. If the tension wasn’t high enough, Cassidy was given a warning over team radio regarding the brake by wire issue that plagued his FP3 in the morning. With a tenth of a second’s advantage, Cassidy just missed the apex at T16 but the Kiwi would just manage to scrape through to the final, pipping the Porsche by just under two tenths with a 1:10.263.

With Evans looking to make it a guaranteed Jaguar front-row, Günther looked keen to spoil the party and by the early part of the lap, the Maserati was already over two tenths up on Evans, but in the mid-section, he would gain, closing the gap to less than a tenth, but Günther would hold-on to the ascendency, putting himself in the final with a 1:10.232.

FINAL

Günther was now already in the position of being a potential king-maker given a guaranteed front-row start, but with no pressure on him, all eyes would be on Cassidy to see whether he could take pole and gain a crucial three points for the championship with the race ahead. Günther pushed Cassidy all the way but would ultimately lose-out by just a tenth, with Cassidy taking pole with a 1:09.871.

The post London E-Prix: Cassidy overcomes mechanical gremlins to take pole position appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/21/london-e-prix-cassidy-overcomes-mechanical-gremlins-to-take-pole-position/feed/ 1
London E-Prix: Rowland on top as angry Cassidy endures mechanical issues https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/21/london-e-prix-rowland-on-top-as-angry-cassidy-endures-mechanical-issues/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/21/london-e-prix-rowland-on-top-as-angry-cassidy-endures-mechanical-issues/#respond Sun, 21 Jul 2024 10:18:06 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=172701

Oliver Rowland set the fastest time in the final practice session before today’s FIA Formula E title-deciding showdown in London. The Englishman, out of title contention after his clash with Antonio Felix da Costa yesterday, set a 1:10.127, with Race 1 winner Pascal Wehrlein just 0.011s behind. Jean-Éric Vergne was third with Max Günther fourth. […]

The post London E-Prix: Rowland on top as angry Cassidy endures mechanical issues appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>

Oliver Rowland set the fastest time in the final practice session before today’s FIA Formula E title-deciding showdown in London.

The Englishman, out of title contention after his clash with Antonio Felix da Costa yesterday, set a 1:10.127, with Race 1 winner Pascal Wehrlein just 0.011s behind.

Jean-Éric Vergne was third with Max Günther fourth. Robin Frijns, who has been cleared to drive after hospital checks due to a hand injury suffered on Saturday, was fifth, with Jehan Daruvala sixth.

Sebastien Buemi, who took his first podium of the season on Saturday, was seventh, with home favourite Dan Ticktum eighth. Nico Müller, who is competing in his final weekend with the ABT Cupra team, was ninth, with Stoffel Vandoorne, driving his last race for DS Penske, was tenth. Just two tenths of a second separated the top ten.

Nick Cassidy, third in the Drivers’ standings and just seven points from glory, endured a torrid morning, having been unable to set a lap time due to a brake by wire issue on his Jaguar. The Kiwi, when realising the problem would not be fixed by the end of the session, chucked his steering wheel out of car and walked to the back of the garage. Team-mate Mitch Evans, only three points off of Wehrlein, also complained with issues with his car, leaving the team with frantic work to do ahead of qualifying.

The post London E-Prix: Rowland on top as angry Cassidy endures mechanical issues appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/07/21/london-e-prix-rowland-on-top-as-angry-cassidy-endures-mechanical-issues/feed/ 0
Portland E-Prix: da Costa makes it three in three as Wehrlein and Evans gain on points-less Cassidy https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/06/30/portland-e-prix-da-costa-makes-it-three-in-three-as-wehrlein-and-evans-gain-on-points-less-cassidy/ https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/06/30/portland-e-prix-da-costa-makes-it-three-in-three-as-wehrlein-and-evans-gain-on-points-less-cassidy/#respond Sun, 30 Jun 2024 22:02:43 +0000 https://www.motorsportweek.com/?p=170522

The FIA Formula E World Championship will be decided in London after Antonio Felix da Costa won the second race of the Portland E-Prix weekend, making it a clean-sweep in the USA, and making it three wins from three races. With Pascal Wehrlein suffering a front wing loss early in the race and not able […]

The post Portland E-Prix: da Costa makes it three in three as Wehrlein and Evans gain on points-less Cassidy appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>

The FIA Formula E World Championship will be decided in London after Antonio Felix da Costa won the second race of the Portland E-Prix weekend, making it a clean-sweep in the USA, and making it three wins from three races.

With Pascal Wehrlein suffering a front wing loss early in the race and not able to fight for the win, his Tag Heuer Porsche team-mate was able to fight for victory, and held-off a stern challenge from Envision’s Robin Frijns, who made it two podiums in two.

In a race that saw many drivers suffering damage due to contact amid the closeness of the racing, Mitch Evans largely stayed out of the danger to finish third, with Wehrlein still able to finish fourth and take some crucial championship points off Jaguar TCS Racing’s Nick Cassidy, who lost out in the middle of the race due to pitting for damage and scored no points, but Evans is now firmly in the mix too, his podium leaving him tied on points with Wehrlein.

Pole man Jean-Eric Vergne could not maintain a challenge, finishing fifth, with Nico Müller sixth, Norman Nato, seventh, Max Günther eighth, Sébastien Buemi ninth and Jake Dennis tenth.

Cassidy’s nightmare weekend, Evans’ third place, and Wehrlein able to complete a modest damage limitation job, the both Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships will be decided in the final weekend of the season in London in three weeks’ time.

HOW THE RACE UNFOLDED

At the start, da Costa took the lead from Vergne at T1, with Cassidy losing position to Wehrlein. Frijns, who moved-up to third, was quickly under extreme pressure from Bird, who took the position back, but team-mate Hughes sailed up into the lead at T1 at the start of lap two, with de Vries second, and Vergne down in fifth, with da Costa sixth.

Cassidy, seemingly content to play a waiting game, dropped to 18th by the start of lap three, with Hughes and de Vries taking their first Attack Mode, along with da Costa, handing Vergne back his lead.

With Bird dropping down the order, team-mate Hughes regained the lead with Vergne dropping to third after his first Attack Mode. Hughes took his second on lap five, with Mortara working up to fourth with de Vries now seventh.

Wehrlein, who had been as high as fourth, suffered a further blow to his ailing title chances, losing his front wing on lap six, causing the Porsche to tumble down the order. It would be a similar story for Bird, whose front wing was also lost, sending him off track and to the back of the field, with replays showing Wehrlein’s dislodged wing flying straight into Bird’s, leaving the English to bemoan why Wehrlein failed to pit for a replacement. Wehrlein’s front wing freed itself from under his car, but was now only two places ahead of Cassidy, who was still electing to stay out of contention in the early stages.

Race leader Hughes lost the lead at T1 on lap eight, outbraking himself and slipping down to third, with Buemi now leading, but the Swiss veteran was swiftly handed a drive through penalty for a technical infraction. Vergne took the lead back on lap nine, with Müller driving superbly in second, with Fenestraz also firmly in the mix in fourth.

Wehrlein worked his way back through the pack, moving to seventh at the start of lap 11 despite the front of his car missing. Müller was now leading, with Frijns quickly taking him, the Dutchman swiftly taking his second Attack Mode.

On lap 13, Hughes, who lost a portion of his own front wing, spun off track,

In what was now looking to become a race of attrition, Dennis, Collet, de Vries, Hughes and Cassidy all got caught in a string of incidents, sending all five into the pits for repairs.

This left Wehrlein now in third, with Frijns and da Costa leading the way, with Vergne, Mortara and the two ABT Cupras of Müller and di Grassi keeping well in touch with them, but Mortara’s race was virtually done by the end of lap 15, tagging da Costa and receiving a puncture for his troubles.

Vergne was now back in the lead, with da Costa second, who became the latest driver to miss a piece of front wing due to the brush with Mortara. In the midfield, Nato and Günther, both starting at the foot of the grid, were noe eighth and tenth respectively, with Evans, largely out of trouble at the midway point, now up to fifth.

The carnage and debris on track left Race Director Scott Elkins with no choice but to deploy the Safety Car, giving Cassidy a chance to potentially recover his compromised race.

The Safety Car came in at the end of lap 20, with da Costa immediately taking the lead from Frijns, with Wehrlein third. Evans took his second Attack Mode, dropping from fifth to eighth but immediately took seventh of Nato and began pursuit of the ABT pair.

With one lap now added, da Costa dropped to third before moving back to first, with Evans now up to fourth and battling Wehrlein for third, which he took at the start of lap 23, the Kiwi now in serious contention, taking Frijns for second at T1 on lap 24. Cassidy, despite an energy advantage over everyone, was unable to free himself from 15th place.

At the start of the penultimate lap, Frijns took second back off of Evans, with Wehrlein still fourth but dropping away from the top three, with da Costa still in the leading, getting the go-ahead from the Porsche pit wall that he could go for the win.

At the start of the final lap, da Costa narrowly led from Frijns, the Envision pushing and probing the Porsche, the two now the only ones left to contend for the win. Vergne was swarming all over Wehrlein, aware that every point will count in his championship battle. Frijns continued to harry da Costa, but the Portuguese can seemingly do no wrong, taking his third Formula E win in succession. Evans took third, with Wehrlein just holding onto fourth, perhaps some vital points with Cassidy scoring none.

On the cool-down lap, a quiet da Costa told his team he did what he could to help Wehrlein, but leaves Portland showing Porsche team boss Florian Modlinger that he may be the best driver available to him after all.

The post Portland E-Prix: da Costa makes it three in three as Wehrlein and Evans gain on points-less Cassidy appeared first on Motorsport Week.

]]>
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/06/30/portland-e-prix-da-costa-makes-it-three-in-three-as-wehrlein-and-evans-gain-on-points-less-cassidy/feed/ 0