Jaguar TCS Racing’s Antonio Felix da Costa delivered a strategic drive to win Formula E’s inaugural Madrid ePrix ahead of teammate Mitch Evans. KIRO’s Dan Ticktum narrowly missed out on a podium after Wehrlein clipped ahead in the final corner of the race.

Parc Femme spoke to Ticktum and Nyck de Vries  in today’s media pen about their race and how they’ll prepare for Berlin.

Mahindra’s Nyck de Vries started on the front row of the grid, just behind Nick Cassidy who claimed pole position. Within the first few laps, the Dutchman lost his front wing through a collision with Wehrlein. From a crumbling car to pitboost infringements, de Vries’ race wasn’t what he had hoped for.

But, how was it from his perspective?

“I mean, I’m 100% at fault for removing my own front wing on Pascal, that was my fault.” Nyck de Vries admitted to Parc Femme in the media pen. “I was dealing with a lot of background issues that we didn’t really understand why they were there. There were settings in the car that shouldn’t have been there and I was trying to manage them, fully distracted, to cancel them.

“I mean, I don’t want to justify my mistake because it was my mistake. We had issues and we couldn’t solve them throughout the race.”

The Mahindra driver received a five-second penalty for the collision which, alongside the damage to his car, hindered the rest of his race. The incident wasn’t the last we’d hear of de Vries as following his mandatory pitboost, he was noted for an infringement. He’d later be handed another five-second penalty for the issue, due to his car crossing the box of the car in front of him.

Ticktum’s Time in Madrid

A driver who had the best of both worlds, from thrilling highs to slight misses, was KIRO’s Dan Ticktum. Starting P9 on the grid following qualifying, everything was on the table. The British driver has faced a difficult beginning, following three retirements in the first three races of the season. Madrid proved great strides for the team and Ticktum, as he found himself fighting for first before missing the podium in the final corner. 

A great race for the fans but, how was it from his perspective?

“Yeah I think, overall pretty good.” Ticktum told Parc Femme in the media pen following the race. “Obviously starting ninth, normally the goal is top five so we did that but I ran in the podium places for a lot of the race.”

He continued, “I was quite unlucky in the pit window. I had di Grassi in front, he was very slow into the pitlane so I lost some time there. Then coming out in the fast lane, Mortara nearly put me in the wall, so I lost some time there as well. If I hadn’t had that, I think I could have potentially won the race actually. Probably lost two or three seconds so that was a shame.

“Then the last chicane, I don’t really know what else I could have done, you know? If I followed the Jaguars, Pascal would have gone to the inside. So I think the outcome would have been the same. Don’t really know what else I could have done, it’s just one of those things.”

A difficult ending for Dan Ticktum’s time in Madrid, but his highest finish of the season so far is secured. With both of the Jaguars under investigation for pit boost infringements, now announced as no further action, the possibility of a podium was in sight.

“The racing is not great, if you ask me. Everyone’s just lifting and I just don’t like it.” Dan Ticktum added.

What de Vries and Ticktum take from Madrid into Berlin.

The Formula E drivers now enter a month-long break before the series returns in Berlin at the beginning of May.

But how hopeful are they for their race prospects?

“I mean, it’s all about efficiency and very efficient races.” de Vries said, “I think Mitch started well outside the top ten, cruised at the back for a long time, built up a huge energy advantage and came back through the field. In the top ten, you have four Porsche’s, five Jags, if I’m correct, and only one non Porsche/Jag car.

“So, it just seems like we need to actually get everything perfect, have a good car, have a balance. Give ourselves a chance to fight against them.”

Comparatively, Ticktum remains more hopeful. The team found themselves racing in 1-2 for a portion of the race, giving KIRO a look into their future.

“Yeah I mean, the car was good towards the end of last year, just had a very unlucky start to the season.” Dan Ticktum told Parc Femme. “I’m not surprised we’re fighting for top five. Yeah just, good points and I think it should be more of the same in Berlin.”

Madrid isn’t complete just yet for Formula E as the teams prepare for the rookie test tomorrow.