It’s been shared with #MotorMartinRacing recently that GKN’s multi-year partnership with Panasonic Jaguar Racing has, at last, made its competitive debut last weekend (2 – 3 December), when the 2017-18 FIA Formula E championship began on the streets of Hong Kong. A drama-packed double-header saw the team perform strongly and consistently throughout. Nelson Piquet Jnr finished fourth in Round 1 on Saturday after a brave overtaking move in the final moments of the race. Having qualified second on the grid for Round 2 on Sunday, Mitch Evans’ fourth place finish was upgraded to a provisional third place* following a post-race investigation, giving the team its first ever Formula E podium.
GKN have Explained to #MotorMartinRacing that over the forthcoming seasons of the world’s elite electric racing series, they will provide design, manufacturing and consultancy services to the British-based Formula E team. From driveshafts and differentials to additive manufacturing, GKN will apply its wealth of expertise to help make the Jaguar I-TYPE go faster.
Phil Swash, GKN Driveline Chief Executive Officer, shared with #MotorMartinRacing that: “Formula E is a competitive showcase for electric car technology, and is therefore an excellent arena for GKN to continue its activities in global motorsport.”
“As a world leader in advanced drivelines, lightweight structures and state-of-the-art electrified systems, GKN is proud to join Panasonic Jaguar Racing in its race to innovate and inspire on the world stage. In addition, as a major supplier to the Chinese automotive industry, it’s wonderful that our Formula E story began in Hong Kong.”
Having the GKN logo on the Panasonic Jaguar Racing cars in Hong Kong symbolises more than just its partnership with a Formula E team. The company’s involvement at the pinnacle of electric car racing matches its status as a leading global supplier of electrified driveline technology, with R&D and production facilities around the world, including in China.
GKN and Panasonic Jaguar Racing – building on a rich heritage
It’s been confirmed to #MotorMartinRacing that Formula E continues the long-running partnership between GKN and Jaguar, dating back to 1935 when GKN supplied driveline technology to the first SS Jaguar saloon. Today, GKN supplies every Jaguar model on the market with a range of driveline technologies, including high performance CV Joints and intelligent all-wheel drive systems.
GKN driveshafts have featured on almost every Jaguar high-performance road and race car, from the Le Mans-winning C-Type in 1951 to the iconic XJ220 of the early 1990s.
Formula E, GKN say, represents their latest motorsport commitment, as the company already has an enviable heritage in championship-winning and record-breaking race cars. Stretching back over half a century, GKN technology helped power early successes in Le Mans, through numerous victories across rally series to the birth of the electric motorsport era. In recent years, GKN systems helped electric vehicles to class wins at Pikes Peak in 2012 and 2013. Its electric flywheel was part of Audi’s winning formula with the R18 e-tron Quattro at Le Mans in 2014.
It’s going to be an electric season in #MotorMartinRacing’s opinion.
Where will you go?