Jaguar TCS’ Mitch Evans Emerges Champion in Jakarta E-Prix

KOMPAS.com – Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans won the inaugural Jakarta E-Prix, securing his third victory in the Formula E World Championship Season on Saturday, June 4.

New Zealand’s Evans, who rode the Jaguar TCS Racing team car, completed the 40-lap race with the fastest record time of 48 minutes 28.424 seconds, State News Antara reported.

He bagged the winning trophy for this season after beating DS Techeetah racer Jean-Eric Vergne (France) by just 0.733 seconds. Switzerland’s Edoardo Montara of Rokit Venturi Racing ended third.

On hand to present the trophy was Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Jakarta International E-Circuit in Ancol.

President Jokowi handed over the trophy to Evans, who looked a little confused upon not being presented a champagne bottle to uncork and celebrate his win, which is the norm at international racing events.

KOMPAS.com/KRISTIANTO PURNOMO Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans won the inaugural Jakarta E-Prix, securing his third victory in the Formula E World Championship Season on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit (JIEC) in Ancol, North Jakarta.

His confusion was not new considering that no champagne bottles were also presented at previous Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia and the 2021 Mandalika World Superbike (WSBK).

Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan handed over the trophy to representatives of the Jaguar TCS Racing team, which was named the contractor champion of the Jakarta E-Prix 2022.

After the prize presentation ceremony, Jokowi expressed his gratitude for the success of the Jakarta E-Prix 2022.

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“Alhamdulillah [praise be to God], everything went smoothly and well,” the President told reporters.

“I believe this is the race of the future because there will be a shift from the common [fossil fuel-based vehicle] to electric cars. Hence, this kind of event will be more popular in the future,” Jokowi said at the venue.

Indonesia is currently developing the electric car industry ecosystem through the industrialization of nickel processing and the development of nickel smelter, lithium battery industry, and electric car factories.

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The Jakarta E-Prix 2022 marked Indonesia’s success in fulfilling the trust of the International Automotive Federation (FIA) by hosting the electric car race since its first race in 2014.

Jakarta was supposed to hold the 2019–20 Formula E Championship, but it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The race was then held in Germany.