Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans has lamented the forthcoming departure of team principal James Barclay, saying he is a “great friend” and a “great leader”, as the team looks to reinvigorate its season at this weekend’s Formula E Monaco E-Prix.
Barclay has been involved with the British marque’s involvement in FE from Season 3, when Evans was one of its first two drivers.
However, the announcement was made two weeks ago that Barclay would leave, amid speculation that he is slated to head-up McLaren’s Hypercar project, which is ironically ending its own involvement in FE.
Speaking to Motorsport Week ahead of this weekend’s historic double-header in the principality, Evans admitted that Barclay’s departure will be, on a personal and professional level, a sad one.
“It all came as a bit of a surprise, a bit of a shock,” he said. “But when you kind of think about it, it’s not surprising because he’s been on the team for so long, so at some point you’re going to be due for a change at some point, I guess.
“He has been offered something that he can’t turn down, so yeah, super sad because I’ve been with him in this journey since day one, and we’ve achieved so much together.
“He’s a great friend, great guy, great, great leader for the team. It’s weird, obviously, he’s still in this role until the end of the season, so you know that’s coming.
“It’ll be interesting to see who will replace him.”
Monaco Pit Boost strategy choices ‘playing with fire’
Evans broke his Monaco duck last year, leading home a superb 1-2 finish for Jaguar.
This year, he has two chances, with the first double-header taking place in the principality, the first race being the second instalment of Pit Boost.
Monaco is a far different circuit to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit which played host to Pit Boost’s debut, and probably increases the risk of a Safety Car being deployed.
This could, of course provide havoc with cars pitting at this period, something Evans has taken into consideration.
“Yeah. especially with Attack Mode, Safety Cars, red flags, full course yellows has a huge, huge effect, whether its for you or against you.
“That’s a bit of a shame when they’re probably the most optimal strategy is the most risky one from a Safety Car point of view here, so it depends on how much you want to play with fire.”
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