Jaguar’s Evans powers from last to first in Sao Paulo E-Prix

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Formula E’s 2024/25 season and the debut of the GEN3 Evo era roared to life in Sao Paulo on Saturday with one of the series’ most thrilling races to date, as Jaguar’s Mitch Evans surged from the back of the grid to claim a remarkable victory.

The adrenaline-filled race saw two red flag stoppages, including a dramatic crash involving Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, who ended up in the wall and upside down following a contact with Nick Cassidy. Fortunately, the German driver emerged unscathed from the commotion.

Evans had suffered a powertrain issue that prevented him from setting a lap in qualifying, but that was no deterrent for the Kiwi who skillfully navigated the chaos and Attack Modes to take the win from Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa and Neom McLaren’s Taylor Barnard.

“It was a crazy one today,” commented Evans, who became the first driver in Formula E history to win from last.

“The whole race was very unpredictable and in the last four laps with this guy [da Costa] breathing down your neck, you don’t know what could happen.

“It would have been nice to have a calmer end to the race but got it done so I guess that’s what matters.”

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.