Cassidy to depart Jaguar Formula E team

Jaguar TCS Racing has confirmed that Nick Cassidy will leave the team following this weekend’s Formula E season finale in London.

The New Zealander leaves following the conclusion of his two-year contract, and is expected to sign with Stellantis from next season, which would place him at either DS Penske or the team currently known as Maserati MSG Racing, whose future identity is currently unclear. NEOM McLaren's Taylor Barnard is also expected to join the Stellantis stable with DS Penske, although RACER understands that deal is not yet done.

Antonio Felix da Costa is believed to be a frontrunner for the vacant spot at Jaguar following two years of uncertainty surrounding his place at TAG Heuer Porsche, while current Maserati driver Jake Hughes is also in the conversation.

“The decision to leave Jaguar TCS Racing has not been an easy one, but ultimately it is the right one for me personally,” said Cassidy. “I’d like to thank everyone at the team for their support since I joined at the beginning of Season 10. We have fought hard and had some great success together.

“I particularly want to thank the engineers and mechanics on the No. 37 side of the garage – we’ve made some amazing memories! Looking ahead to London this weekend, we’ll work as hard as ever as a team to ensure we’re competitive and fighting for another top three finish in the Drivers' World Championship.”

Cassidy joined the team ahead of the 2023-24 season following three years with privateer entrant Envision Racing. The last of those three years, Envision's first as a Jaguar customer, delivered four wins and second place in the standings. Following his move to the works team last season, Cassidy was once again in championship contention.

Cassidy headed to London last year in with a shout of the title, and ultimately helped Jaguar to the Teams' and Manufacturers' crowns. Simon Galloway/Getty Images

A spin while leading in the first race in Portland (and an eventual non-score across the U.S. doubleheader) followed by a collision in the final race of the season with Antonio Felix da Costa derailed his hopes of claiming a championship for which he had been a longtime favorite and he eventually finished third, but helped Jaguar to the Teams' championship, as well as the first Manufacturers' crown.

So far this season Cassidy has again notched up two race victories, including the most recent round in Berlin, but has been out of championship contention as Jaguar has spent much of the season lagging behind Porsche and Nissan. He currently sits fifth in the points, but remains in with a chance of moving up to second behind already-anointed champion Oliver Rowland.

“Nick is an exceptional racing driver and a very astute competitor as the world can see from his performances,” said James Barclay, Jaguar TCS Racing team principal, who will also leave the team at the end of this season to take up a position at the helm of McLaren’s new Hypercar project, with current McLaren Formula E team principal Ian James rumored to be his replacement.

“He has impressed everyone in the team with his unwavering dedication to win and I’m proud of the role he’s played in our team’s success.

“On behalf of the whole team, I’d like to thank Nick and wish him all the best for a successful future – starting of course with the final race weekend of the 2024/2025 Season in London, where together we’ll still be fighting as hard as ever for points, podiums and wins.”