James Barclay: Jaguar Racing Team Principal, 'Formula E and Electric are the Future' (Ep56)

Business of Sport

This week, we are delighted to welcome James Barclay to the show. James is Team Principal at Jaguar Racing, the current Formula E constructors World Champion. We have done some amazing shows on Formula 1, but this is a new area to venture into. Formula E is the fastest growing motorsport in the world.

It has been a rapid rise for electric racing since the first season in 2014. In an age where the environment and sustainability dominates, this format has become a pioneer of ‘green’ sport, influencing the technological development of electric cars and influencing broader automotive consumption habits. With the now infamous rebrand of Jaguar at the end of last year, what role does the company’s participation in this sport now play in broader company objectives built exclusively around electric vehicles?

James has been the team Principal since 2015, when the manufacturer first entered the sport. This was the chance to sit down and discuss this alongside the success of Formula 1, understand the similarities and differences, and review how the business of the teams and wider sport works. It’s an entertainment product for the modern age, and a modern audience.

What makes the Jaguar car faster than an F1 car 0-60? What is the cost of running a Championship winning team? Could Max Verstappen win in a Formula E car? Let’s find out.

On today’s show we discuss:

The world of Formula E:

• Creating a new sport - the origins of Formula E and how it differs from other forms of racing.
• How has it evolved since its inception; from a concept on the back of a napkin to leading global motorsport.
• What do the revenue streams look like for a Formula E team? From sponsorship to prize money to media rights.
• Do spending caps and regulations placed on the teams drive financial sustainability?
• How media rights and the mediafication of sport has affected Formula E? Is there a Drive to Survive moment on the horizon?
• How do drivers become Formula E drivers rather than another motorsport? What are the differences?

Formula E vs Formula 1:

• What are the similarities between the two formats?
• What has F1 copied from Formula E? Are the two in competition or can they coexist harmoniously?
• How would F1 drivers fare in the Formula E championship? If you put Max Verstappen in a Jaguar car, would he win the Championship?
• What lessons can Formula E take from F1 when it comes to global outreach?
• Do Formula E’s cars lead to better racing? More overtakes, quicker acceleration, more skill?

The future of EVs and Jaguar:

• How much does Motorsport at the elite end influence global consumer habits across an automotive industry?
• How the Jaguar rebrand towards EVs affected their participation in Formula E? Is all press good press?
• In what ways do the sponsors in Formula E advance the overall development in EV technology?
• Holding exclusive rights to electric racing until 2039, is Formula E the future?

A huge thank you to our amazing partners:

Orreco https://www.orreco.com/

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