Formula E: James Calado previews the Mexican E-Prix "The ultimate goal is a podium"


Formula E driver James Calado racing for Jaguar

British Formula E driver James Calado is aiming for a podium at the Mexican E-Prix this weekend. He talks to MARK REES ahead of the race.

The heat is on in Mexico City.

Formula E is in town for the fourth round of motor sport's greenest championship, and the temperatures are soaring as the teams prepare for one of the hottest races on the calendar.

For British driver James Calado, however, it's also a chance to chill out, having arrived in Mexico City a few days early ahead of an intense day on street racing on Saturday.

Unlike Formula One where practice, qualifying and the race are more leisurely spaced out over a three-day weekend, the electric alternative crams everything into a single day.

Which means that the Jaguar driver, in his debut Formula E season, will be taking part in no less than two practice sessions, a flying-lap qualifying session, and the main event itself in four back-to-back sessions in just under eight hours.

British Formula E driver James Calado

"You need to be the fastest and the most efficient to win the race. You can’t do that on your own."


As a Sportscar veteran who also races for Ferrari James is more than familiar with the pressures that come with race weekends, even if his Formula E schedule is a little more hectic.

"On Saturday I wake up at 5am and go to the track," he says of his early start to the day.

"We have a debrief to see where we are compared to the simulator, and then it’s a quick turnaround (between sessions) so there’s a lot of people rushing around."

After first practice is finished the power is turned up for second practice to get some fast laps in ahead of the all-important make-or-break one-lap qualifying.

"After qualifying I get focused and as hydrated as possible. We have a team meeting, and then I like to keep myself to myself before the race."

Formula E driver James Calado racing for Jaguar

There is one person that he remains in constant communication with throughout though, and that's his engineer Phil.

"I see more of Phil than my own family," he says with a laugh.

"I’m in contact with Phil non-stop. Before I even come here, we spend two days on the simulator. Formula E especially is all about communication. You need to be the fastest and the most efficient to win the race. You can’t do that on your own. You’re constantly optimising. It’s strategic."

And while James is relaying information back to Phil from the cockpit, Phil in turn is receiving vital updates from the team’s home in Grove, Jaguar's Oxfordshire base in the UK at Williams F1.

Formula E driver James Calado racing for Jaguar

ATTACK MODE 

There are several differences between Formula E and Formula One, but perhaps the most dramatic and, in James' case, beneficial, is the appropriately named Attack Mode.

The power boost gives drivers a temporary increase in speed in order to overtake, and is something James has already established himself as something of a specialist in.

In the four races so far this season he has overtaken two cars on average per boost, while keeping those using Attack Mode against him behind. In fact, James has already overtaken a whopping 34 – yes, 34 – cars this season, although part of the reason for his prolific overtaking has been qualifying lower down the grid than expected, something he hopes to correct in Mexico.

Formula E driver James Calado

"I know the car underneath me is one of the top three."

"I’ve been unlucky in qualifying until now and I’ve had to fight my way through,” he says, admitting that while it might be fun for us watching at home or from the stands to see him carve his through the field, he would prefer the quieter option of leading the line.

"I’d rather be at the front. I’m doing a job, and I want to do as well as I can. I know the car underneath me is one of the top three. Mitch (Evans, Jaguar teammate) had pole in the last race, so qualifying fourth to eighth is a realistic goal."

After that, it's all about bringing it home in as high a position as possible.

"Judging by my race pace, the ultimate goal is a podium, but I’d be happy with fifth. It’s all about enjoying it at the end of the day."

• The Formula E Mexican E-Prix takes place on Saturday, February 5. For more details on where to watch it visit the website.

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