For the opening round of the inaugural Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY, 11 cars will take to the track in Saudi Arabia, supporting the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in its next generation of racing.
Competing at 10 rounds of the 2018/19 Formula E calendar, the I-PACE eTROPHY will consist of four sessions per race weekend: shakedown, practice, qualifying and a 25-minute + 1 lap race.
In Riyadh, six teams will take to the track in the form of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Jaguar Brazil Racing, Viessman Jaguar eTROPHY Team Germany, Team China, Team Asia New Zealand and Saudi Racing while 25-year-old racer Alice Powell will drive Jaguar's VIP car, reserved for “famous faces from the world of motorsport and beyond.”
"I am very excited to have been given this opportunity by Jaguar to race in their VIP car in the all new Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY," said Powell, who was the first female racing driver to win a Formula Renault Championship.
"Electric is the way the world is going, so to have the chance to drive in this series, in the early stages of this new era, is fantastic.
"It's been three years since my last race, so I cannot wait to get back out there and would like to thank Jaguar for this opportunity."
Alongside Powell, who will be competing in the series on a one-off basis, other competitors include Katherine Legge, Bryan Sellers, Cacá Bueno, Sérgio Jimenez, Célia Martin, Tao Wang, Yaqi Zhang, Simon Evans, Ahmed Bin Khanen and Bandar Alesayi.
“We are immensely proud to reach this historic moment," said Gerd Mauser, Chairman of Jaguar Racing.
"We had an idea that we could bring electric production car racing to city streets, and showcase the power and capability of the award-winning Jaguar I-PACE. This weekend that will become a reality.
"We have built this championship from scratch, attracting drivers, teams and sponsors from all over the world, and this is just the beginning.”
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Formula E, added: “Congratulations and good luck to Jaguar Racing this weekend as they embark on a historic first for motorsport and electrification.
"We are proud to have them on the grid in Formula E and now with a spectacular support series with the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY.
"This gives our fans an exciting addition to our one-day race format and I can’t wait to watch the action and see the first winner.”
The first race of the 2018/19 Jaguar I-PACE eTRHOPHY can be watched for free on Jaguar Racing’s Facebook and Twitter channels.
