Mitch Evans Responds to Claims of Team Tactics in Shanghai E-Prix Victory
Mitch Evans, the victor of the Shanghai E-Prix, has responded to claims made by Pascal Wehrlein suggesting that team tactics were involved in his win. The Jaguar TCS Racing driver took the chequered flag in the first race of the double-header weekend in China, but was accused by Wehrlein of holding him up to allow his teammate, Nick Cassidy, to pass.
“I think he’s a bit oblivious to what he does on track and then accuses others,” Evans told Motorsport Week. “I wasn’t trying to slow him up really, I was just trying to position my car to try and give Nick an overlap on him on the last lap.”
Evans and Wehrlein were both called to the stewards’ office after the race to investigate the incident, but neither received a penalty. Evans expressed surprise at being called to the stewards and felt that the situation was not handled correctly.
Praise for the Shanghai Circuit
The Shanghai E-Prix was a significant event in the Formula E calendar, marking the city’s first-ever electric racing event on a revised layout of the Shanghai International Circuit, also home to the Chinese Grand Prix. Despite concerns about the track layout, Evans praised the circuit, saying it was one of the better permanent tracks for peloton-style racing.
“I think you don’t get that concertina effect like you have in other tracks,” Evans said. “The track was a lot more flowing. There was still obviously at Turn 10, at Chicane, that was obviously the most sketchy area, and that’s where most of the contacts were made, but most of the track was quite medium to high speed.”
The Formula E Season Continues
The Formula E standings remain tight, with Evans’ win propelling him up the rankings. The Formula E schedule continues with the next event in Rome, Italy, on April 13-14. The Formula E calendar for 2023 has been packed with exciting races, and the Shanghai E-Prix was no exception.
“I think we just didn’t find that balance,” Evans said, reflecting on the two races in Shanghai. “The first race is really extreme and the second race is a lot calmer, so yes, obviously we just didn’t find that balance, but the track wasn’t too bad.”
With the Formula E season heating up, Evans and his rivals will be looking to make their mark in the next race.
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