Heaven & hell at Jaguar: The e-Formula.news driver rating for the 2024 Diriyah E-Prix

Diriyah once again ensured a thrilling Formula E race weekend with this year's double-header. The action on the track was characterised by tactical battles in the leading group. Nick Cassidy not only outpaced his team-mate Mitch Evans, but also the rest of the field. Our driver ratings.

After each round of the 2024 Formula E season, our editors award points on a scale between 1 and 10 for all drivers. They are then sorted according to their average "rating score". The rating is based exclusively on driving performance, not the potential of the car or external circumstances. Editor Tim Neuhaus comments on the top 3 performances at the E-Prix and the total failure of the weekend.

1. Nick Cassidy | Jaguar TCS Racing | 10.0

While other drivers often have to find their feet in new teams, Nick Cassidy has worked almost perfectly at Jaguar since day one. The 2023 runner-up proved his racing intelligence, especially on Friday: The New Zealander tinkered with his strategy with the team on the pit radio throughout the race. Cassidy was actually expecting fourth place behind his team-mate, which turned into an unexpected podium thanks to a pinch of cockiness from Mitch Evans.

On Saturday, Cassidy dominated the action shortly after the start of the race and also remained unbreakable for Robin Frijns. Consistency was Cassidy's biggest trump card in the first three races. While many of the favourites faltered on Saturday, Cassidy has finished on the podium in every race so far. That means a 19-point lead in the overall standings. Cassidy and Jaguar are currently the ones to beat in Formula E.

2. Jean-Eric Vergne | DS Penske | 8.0

In a field seemingly dominated by Jaguar and Porsche, Jean-Eric Vergne finished on pole on Friday and thus drew level again with Sebastien Buemi in the all-time statistics. The race proved to be a challenge for the DS Penske driver. However, Vergne shone with his experience and defensive driving skills. Mitch Evans battled in vain with the two-time champion until the final lap, who ultimately finished in second place.

While the Frenchman was unable to match that in the second race, he at least scored four valuable points. Even though Stoffel Vandoorne beat his team-mate for the first time on Saturday, he is still clearly in Vergne's shadow. With consistently good points-scoring results, "JEV" is right in the thick of the championship battle and provides gives DS Penske hope.

3. Oliver Rowland | Nissan | 7.8

From zero to one hundred - that's how Nissan's race Saturday appeared. While the Japanese team scored no points in the first two races, Oliver Rowland surprised everyone by taking pole position on the second day of the Diriyah E-Prix. His race could just as easily be described as his pole lap. Although victory was not quite within reach in the end, Rowland made the most of his opportunities with P3. Only his points-less Friday spoilt our rating result.

Flop of the E-Prix: Mitch Evans | Jaguar TCS Racing | 5.2

According to the scores, there were clearly weaker drivers at the double-header in Diriyah. Nevertheless, we think Mitch Evans had perhaps the most bitter weekend of all. Nobody gave away more potential points than the New Zealander. On Friday, a safe third place ahead of his team-mate was possible. However, with a cocky overtaking attempt four corners before the end, he gave away the podium in furious fashion. In the second race, he disappeared into nowhere after a weak qualifying session, while his team-mate won.

Cassidy has shown Evans unprecedented limits. There are already 36 points between the two "Kiwis". While Evans has been the clear number one at Jaguar in recent years, he has been beaten by his new team-mate in every race so far in 2024. If the New Zealander is unable to catch up in the upcoming races, he is likely to be relegated to the role of second driver - the ultimate punishment for title contender Evans!