Can you give us an introduction to JLR Motorsport, specifically the Formula E side, and how it all started?
Sure. If I take you back, Jaguar has an incredible history in motorsport, with major success dating back to the 1950s, especially in events like Le Mans and European Touring Cars. But around 2015, after being absent from motorsport for 12 years, we wanted to reignite this part of Jaguar’s DNA. It needed to be about more than just returning to racing—it had to be for the right reasons.
At that time, the world was focusing heavily on sustainability and emissions, particularly after the Paris Climate Change Convention in 2015. We saw that motorsport could align with our future product strategy, focusing on zero-emission mobility. Formula E, as an all-electric championship, was the perfect match. It allowed us to lead the way in electric racing and align with Jaguar's future product portfolio, including our first all-electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE.
So, we committed to Formula E in 2015, becoming one of the first manufacturers in the series. Since then, Formula E has grown rapidly, and Jaguar TCS Racing has become one of our most successful programs ever. Our long-term commitment to Formula E runs until at least 2030. It’s a great platform for us to showcase Jaguar as we transition to becoming an all-electric brand by 2025.
Motorsport is a team effort. How do you manage partnerships and collaborations to make Jaguar TCS Racing a success?
It’s all about having the best people and the best partnerships. Formula E demands cutting-edge technology and innovation, and while we have an incredible in-house team, we also rely on our partners to help us push boundaries. For example, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), our title partner, have supported us with cloud technology, as well as exploring digital twin and simulation technology. We also work closely with partners including Wolfspeed, Castrol and Dow to utilize their expertise and insights to help our team find performance improvements. These can span everything from deploying advanced EV fluids or lubricants, utilizing silicon carbide technology in our powertrain, or using materials science expertise to combat issues in an electric racing car such as thermal management. What's exciting is some of the technology we're testing in Formula E is also relevant to future JLR production vehicles. Our partnerships are essential not just for performance but also for sustainability, ensuring we’re pushing the envelope in both areas.
You mentioned that motorsport is a great testbed for new technology. Can you explain how "track to road" works in the case of Formula E and Jaguar?
Track to road is fundamental to why we’re in Formula E. Motorsport is about more than winning—it’s about innovation. Racing improves the breed, meaning the technologies we develop in Formula E eventually find their way into road cars.
For example, we’ve introduced cutting-edge silicon carbide technology in our Formula E inverters, and now this is being incorporated into future JLR vehicles.
Our cars are also incredibly efficient, using less than 5 liters of fuel equivalent to complete a 45-minute race, often at speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. This level of efficiency is something we’re eager to replicate in production vehicles.
Everything we do in Formula E, from powertrain technology to regenerative braking systems, helps shape the next generation of electric vehicles. Formula E gives us a real-world platform to develop, test, and refine EV technologies, and it allows us to push boundaries in ways that directly benefit consumers.
Sustainability is crucial in Formula E. How does that impact the construction of the cars and team operations?
Sustainability is at the core of everything we do in Formula E. The Gen3 Formula E car is the world’s first net-zero carbon racing car. For example, the bodywork is made from recycled carbon fibers, and the tires use recycled materials, with a majority of those materials also being recyclable.
Even operationally, we have strict sustainability standards to follow. For instance, Formula E teams are limited to only two sets of tires for a race weekend, far fewer than in other motorsports. This reduces waste and minimizes our environmental footprint. We also focus on circularity—re-refining oils with Castrol and using recycled materials wherever possible.
Beyond the cars, our logistics are designed to minimize carbon impact. We have strict freight limits, which keeps our operations lean and more sustainable compared to other racing series.
With so many innovations in Formula E, what role does sustainable sourcing play in building these cars?
Sustainable sourcing plays a critical role. Our partnership with Castrol, for instance, helped us develop processes to re-refine our gearbox oils without losing any performance. In terms of the car itself, 20% of our Gen3 tires are made from recycled fibers, and they’re fully recyclable after each race. We’re also using sustainable materials throughout the car’s construction, including in areas like bodywork, where recycled materials are integral.
We’re constantly looking for ways to source materials more sustainably, whether it’s in building the cars or in how we operate as a team. For example, the majority of the energy needed for each race comes from regenerative braking. We generate over 40% of the power during a race, reducing reliance on external sources and making the racing itself more efficient.
How do you handle waste reduction and recycling during races and back at your facilities?
Our waste reduction efforts are integrated into every aspect of our operations. At the track, we focus on using fewer tires and more sustainable materials. For example, the Gen3 car is designed with recycled fibers, and the tires are fully recyclable. Back at our facilities, we aim for circularity in everything we do, from re-refining our oils to minimizing physical testing by leveraging advanced simulation technologies.
We’ve also integrated digital twin and simulation technologies, allowing us to design and test components virtually before they are physically manufactured. This not only accelerates development but also reduces waste by eliminating the need for excessive physical prototypes.
Finally, what impact will electric racing have on Jaguar’s future, especially over the next 5 to 10 years?
Electric racing is a proof point for Jaguar’s future. Our Formula E program is at the forefront of Jaguar’s all-electric transformation, which will see the brand become fully electric by 2025. The technology we develop in Formula E directly informs our production vehicles, from powertrain efficiency to materials science.
We’re proud to have produced the most successful all-electric racing car, the Jaguar I-TYPE 6, and we’ll continue to build on that success. Over the next decade, the lessons learned in Formula E will shape the future of Jaguar’s electric vehicles, ensuring that we lead the way in electrification, both on the track and on the road.
We’re in this for the long term, and our goal is to compete at the highest level while advancing electric vehicle technology in the most sustainable way possible.
