It’s race week again for Formula E as we are heading to Japan for the first time in the history of the series! But what do the main characters of the past Sao Paulo E-Prix think about the new location? Let’s find out!
Sam Bird
The Arrow McLaren driver took his first race win with the team he had joined at the beginning of Season 10 in style.
Leading for a number of laps after a very strong start, he had been passed by his former teammate Mitch Evans. However he was able to take P1 back on the last lap of the race.
The Brit is excited for the new opportunity to show his potential, as he said ahead of the Japanese event:
“I’m very excited to head to Tokyo, especially after such a strong weekend last time out in São Paulo. I think Tokyo is a great addition to the Formula E calendar, and I’m confident it’ll be a very exciting event.”
“There are lots of different corner types and I’ve heard it’s particularly bumpy in some sections, so that’ll be an additional challenge.
His fourth podium with the papaya team left him hopeful for what’s to come, as he ended:
“We’re carrying good momentum into Round 5 and hopefully we can continue to score decent points for the rest of the season, starting in Tokyo this weekend.”
Oliver Rowland
It will be the first ever home E-Prix for the British driver’s team. Twice on the podium in the past two races, Rowland is definitely on a streak of very positive performances and can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of his challenger:
“I’m delighted to have secured another podium in São Paulo and want to keep this positive form going into the team’s home race next week.”
The British driver achieved his second P3 in a row on the final lap of the Brazilian round, with a last minute move on reigning champion Jake Dennis.
“I’m super excited to be racing in Japan, I went there a few times in karting, and from what we have experienced at the Nismo Festival, the reception we receive from the fans is second to none, so I’m really looking forward to getting on track.”
The former Mahindra driver is stoked at the chance of taking yet another very positive finish at his team’s home round:
“It’s positive pressure, when you have this type of support you have extra energy to focus on the challenge, we need to manage that in a balanced way, not get too excited but also not too nervous. It’s going to be a huge race for the team and I can’t wait to get out there and experience the atmosphere,” he added.
Nick Cassidy
The championship leader definitely didn’t have a good time in São Paulo.
Cassidy saw the majority of his advantage on his driver colleagues eroding after hitting the wall with ten laps to go. His crash was caused by his wing, which had been damaged earlier already after contact with De Vries, falling off while he was battling for P7 with Rowland.
Ultimately he had to retire from the race, with his gap to Wehrlein reduced to only four points.
The former Supwr Formula champion talked about his feelings towards his new team hitting the milestone of their first 100 starts in Formula E:
“Although I have only competed for Jaguar TCS Racing in four of its 100-race journey, during this time I’ve been able to witness the great progress made over the last eight seasons and have been able to add to our points, podiums and wins tally. “
“I’m really proud to be a part of making history with the team and am looking forward to more races together. Tokyo is such an exciting race for me. I spent a large period of my racing career in Japan, and I’m ready to return with fantastic memories.”
Cassidy is looking forward to make his racing return in Japan, as he concluded praising the fans:
“The Japanese fans are very passionate about their motorsport, so I’m hoping I can give them something to cheer about.”
