Q&A: Jaguar Formula E drivers Sam Bird and Mitch Evans

Mitch, you’ve been at Jaguar longer, and Sam has more experience of Formula E. It seems a good combination?

Evans: “It helps. The combination is a potent mix: you’ve got Formula E experience from the start [with Sam] and long-term Jaguar experience with me, so the combination is good, and on track it has turned out to be really good. So far, so good.”

Bird: “I’ve worked with some great drivers in Formula E, but I’m really enjoying this relationship, because it’s working really well to improve the car and it’s super easy off the track.”

Sam, what brought you to Jaguar now?

Bird: “I looked at the move three years ago and spoke to Jaguar. At the time, it didn’t work for many reasons, but you looked at their progression over the past three years and it has just been better and better every year.

"In one race last year, I watched Mitch fly past me as if I was standing still. That was a switch in my head: maybe it was time to make this move and see what I can do with it. I’m so pleased I have.

"Envision are doing so well right now and are a very strong team, but I absolutely believe I’m in the right place to be with such a strong British sporting brand as Jaguar, as a British driver makes sense to me. “

What did it feel like to win on your first weekend racing for Jaguar?

Bird: “The first weekend was a great start and laid a good foundation. It was nice to get a win. I’m really proud of the work that everybody has done. Me and Mitch are pushing each other and the team towards the top of this championship. I think we will continue to do so for the rest of the year.”

Mitch, you’ve been at Jaguar since the team entered Formula E. How has it developed?

Evans: “The contrast between when we started and now is huge: we’re a completely different team. We operate at a much higher level now. To be part of that progress has been really special, and it’s very rare for drivers to be able to experience that. In the first year, we finished at the bottom of the teams’ standings, and now we’re fighting at the front. To be part of that and help set that direction is just awesome.”

Did you know Jaguar would be a long-term project when your signed?

Evans: “I was always under the impression it was going to be a long-term thing. Contractually, it hasn't been like that: I had only a one-year contract initially, but it has progressed to build my reputation in the team so they would put their trust in me.

"It was tricky at first, when we weren’t the strongest team, so for the team to see that and potential in myself to bring them forward was a great thing.

"The team has been very honest, though. I was never under the impression that we would learn in the first year and the second year would be title contenders. It was always realistic, and the timeline has played out exactly as was set out to me.”

What’s the secret to success in Formula E for a driver?

Bird: “In Formula 1, it’s all about aerodynamics, air efficiency and monotonous fast pace. Formula E is about fast pace, but there’s a large chunk that's about being efficient, rather than being quick. There’s a constant chess battle going on, trying to work out what others around you are doing on energy, where they’re strong and where they might be weak. You try to save in certain places while you prepare to attack - and when you do attack, you don’t waste energy when doing it, because if you do that too many times, all you’re doing is burning energy and not going forwards. It’s the world’s fastest game of chess.”