Image: Alastair Staley courtesy of Formula E
Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing has discussed the level of competition that he and his team are facing after completing three rounds of the FIA Formula E World Championship.
The New Zealand driver, who won the second race of the Diriyah double-header and has consistently finished on the podium in every other round, placing him at the top of the Drivers’ Championship, has praised the number of teams that he believes have shown impressive speed. He stated, “I think it has not been emphasized enough how strong the Nissan and DS cars are – Rowland’s performance has been good, as well as Fenestraz’s; Hughes and Bird [NEOM McLaren] have been extremely strong, and we have also seen it with Gunther [Masterati MSG Racing].”
“He dominated Jakarta [2023] and in Mexico he was very strong, which means there are eight cars, in addition to Jaguar and Porsche, making a total of 16 cars.”
“There will be weekends where it will be challenging to finish in the top 10.”
“What is remarkable about Formula E at the moment is how competitive it is, so I am a little surprised that the media only focuses on Jaguar and Porsche!”
When asked if he believes that season 10 could be the most competitive yet, Cassidy responded, “Absolutely – Diriyah was a good indication of that, especially the two qualifying sessions.”
“I do not believe it is due to randomness or bad luck – it simply shows how competitive it is and how everything has to go right.”
“I expect there will be days when I qualify in 18th or 16th place because it will be difficult to perform well in every situation.”
“Those days will come, we just have to minimize them and optimize whatever we can because the field is so tight.”
A recent study conducted by Blackbook Motorsport has revealed that television ratings have increased in both the United States and the United Kingdom. In the US, the Mexico E-Prix garnered double the viewership compared to last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Despite being unaware of this positive trend, Cassidy expressed his love for the sport and his desire to see it grow and succeed. He emphasized the presence of talented drivers, successful manufacturers, and strong teams, and expressed hope for the continued growth of the sport.
Looking ahead, Formula E is set to return to racing in Sao Paolo after a long-awaited hiatus. Following this, the championship will make its inaugural visit to Japan, where a brand new street circuit has been constructed in Tokyo. This race will take place just one week before the Formula 1 race in Suzuka. Cassidy believes that the prospect of a new race in a new country, particularly in a vibrant city like Tokyo, is exciting. He is not concerned about the proximity of the Formula E and Formula 1 races, as he believes there is ample opportunity for both events to thrive. He sees this as a valuable opportunity for Formula E to reach a new audience and showcase their product, hoping for a successful event.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com