Mitch Evans lines up for his 127th E-Prix in São Paulo, beginning his tenth season with Jaguar TCS Racing at a circuit where he never finished off the podium and famously charged from last to victory last year. Beside him in the garage, António Félix da Costa prepares for his first start as the team’s #13 driver, while the race also marks Ian James’ debut on the pit wall as Team Principal. Jaguar arrived in Brazil on the back of a standout 2024/25 campaign, with six wins, runners-up spots in both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Championships, and the I-TYPE 7 the most successful car of the season. Behind the scenes, Kazuto Shiomitsu stepped up to Race Engineer for da Costa, joining Alan Cocks, who continues to engineer Evans and enters his first full season in the role.
Evans relishes emotional return to scene of record-breaking São Paulo win
For Evans, returning to Brazil brought back the memories of last year’s charge from 22nd on the grid to a landmark victory, a career-defining breakthrough that cemented São Paulo as a special venue for him and Jaguar TCS Racing. He recognised the punishing nature of the Anhembi Sambadrome layout but underlined that he and the team felt primed to attack again and chase another big result. Above all, he pointed to the electric passion of the Brazilian fans, whose energy in the grandstands turned the E-Prix into one of the most exhilarating stages on the calendar.
“It’s exciting to head to Brazil for the first race of the new Formula E season. São Paulo will always be special to me after last year’s race – coming through from 22nd on the grid to take the win was a record‑breaking moment in my career I will never forget. The team and I know how tough this track can be, but we’re ready to fight hard again and hopefully deliver another result for the fans. The Brazilian crowd is incredible – their passion and energy bring such an amazing atmosphere, and that makes racing here even more exciting.”
Da Costa targets dream Jaguar TCS Racing debut at familiar São Paulo podium venue
Da Costa also approached São Paulo with quiet confidence as he geared up for his first race in Jaguar TCS Racing colours. He stressed how intense the level of competition would be this season, but pointed to the hard work put in over the winter as proof that the team had done everything possible to be ready. A podium finisher in Brazil last year, he made no secret of his desire to replicate that kind of form and mark his Jaguar debut with a strong result.
“I am really looking forward to my first race with Jaguar TCS Racing in São Paulo. It is going to be another really competitive year, and we have worked extremely hard in the off‑season to ensure we are fully prepared for the campaign ahead. I finished on the podium last year in São Paulo and it would be great to get another strong result on my debut with the team.”
James backs Evans and da Costa to spearhead fast-start bid in Brazil
From the pit wall, Ian James underlined the sense of motivation running through the Jaguar TCS Racing garage as the new season began in São Paulo. He expected another fiercely contested campaign and set a clear target of starting strongly in Brazil. James highlighted Evans’ formidable record in Brazil as a source of confidence for the season opener and spoke of the team’s excitement at welcoming da Costa for his first race in Jaguar colours, convinced the Portuguese driver would immediately chase a big result to kick-start his new chapter with the team.
“Everyone at Jaguar TCS Racing is hugely motivated ahead of the first round of the new ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season in Brazil. It promises to be another closely fought campaign out on track, and so our aim is to get out of the blocks quickly and secure a good result in São Paulo.”
“Mitch [Evans] has always performed well in Brazil and that should give him a lot of confidence heading into the opening race of the season, while we are all excited for António [da Costa] to make his debut with team and know he will be pushing hard for a strong race to start to his career with Jaguar TCS Racing.”
