Mitch Evans storms to record-breaking Jaguar victory in wet Miami E-Prix
Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans delivered a masterclass in wet-weather racing to claim a record-breaking victory at the Miami E-Prix, charging from ninth on the grid to take his first win of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season.
On a damp and greasy circuit at the Miami International Autodrome, Evans’ 15th career Formula E victory, all with Jaguar, moved him clear as the most successful driver in the championship’s history. The New Zealander also surpassed the 1,000-point mark, becoming only the fourth driver ever to reach that milestone.
The result carried added significance as it marked Ian James’ first victory as Jaguar TCS Racing team principal, following his appointment ahead of the season.
Qualifying had taken place in dry conditions, with both Jaguar I-TYPE 7 cars starting inside the top ten. António Félix da Costa impressed to line up third after reaching the Duels semi-finals, while Evans narrowly missed out on the Duels by just 0.058s and started ninth.
Heavy rain before the start forced the race to begin behind the Safety Car, with a standing start eventually released after four laps. Early Attack Mode strategies proved decisive as drivers sought clean air on a slippery surface, but Jaguar’s measured approach kept both cars firmly in the lead group.
Da Costa made a decisive move on lap 15, using his first Attack Mode to surge into the lead, before Evans vaulted forward from seventh with a perfectly timed deployment on lap 19. The pair then engaged in a tense fight with Nico Müller, before Evans swept past his team-mate and snatched the lead from the Porsche on lap 27.
What looked set to be a double podium for Jaguar unravelled a lap earlier when da Costa was hit by Felipe Drugovich after the Andretti driver outbraked himself into the final corner. Drugovich received a 10-second penalty, while heavy damage to the #13 Jaguar dropped da Costa down the order to eighth.
At the front, Evans remained unflappable, managing his final Attack Mode and sealing victory with the fastest lap of the race – a fitting flourish to a historic afternoon.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said James. “In tricky conditions Mitch drove peerlessly to take the win and to break the record for most Formula E victories – all with Jaguar – says everything about his ability. It’s gutting for António, who was on course for a podium, but the performance of both cars gives us huge confidence heading to Jeddah.”
Evans added: “It’s an incredible feeling to take a record-breaking win here in Miami. Coming from behind in these conditions makes it even sweeter. Hopefully this kickstarts our season and we can carry this momentum into the Jeddah double-header.”
Despite his disappointment, da Costa remained upbeat: “We had the pace to fight for the podium and it hurts to lose that through no fault of my own. But the speed is there, my season starts here, and Jeddah can’t come soon enough.”
The result lifts Evans to sixth in the drivers’ standings, with Jaguar TCS Racing climbing to seventh in the teams’ championship and Jaguar moving up to third in the manufacturers’ table. The all-electric paddock now heads to Saudi Arabia for rounds four and five at the Jeddah E-Prix on 13–14 February.
