Jaguar Racing’s driver displayed strong early pace at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico, initially running in the lead group. However, as the race progressed, Mitch Evans faced difficulties, losing ground to the frontrunners, including Pascal Wehrlein of Porsche, who won but is under investigation for technical infringement.
After the race, Evans revealed a steering issue that hampered his car’s pace and balance, resulting in a more than seven-second gap to Maximilian Guenther ahead. Despite starting well and managing energy effectively, Evans encountered balance problems with heavy steering weight, leading to difficulties in turning the wheel.
Expressing frustration, Evans mentioned the unusual experience and stated that P5 was acceptable, though it could have been slightly better. Reflecting on the limited passing opportunities during the race, he believed that P4 was the best achievable outcome.
Teammate Nick Cassidy, making his Jaguar debut, finished third, advancing one position from his starting spot. Both Jaguar drivers were penalized one position on the grid due to a red flag infraction during practice.
Cassidy considered the penalty a significant factor affecting his chance to compete for the win. Despite struggling with the package throughout the weekend, he expressed satisfaction with the result and deemed it a positive start for the team. Cassidy acknowledged the penalty’s impact but remained optimistic about the team’s performance.