What to Watch: Quiet-But-Quick Formula E Racing Series Is Back in the U.S. July 16-17

• Mitch Evans, of Jaguar TCS Racing, is hoping to settle some unfinished U.S. business in the electric-powered racing series.

• Just 15 points separate the top four in the standings with only three events, including this weekend’s doubleheader, remaining in the season.

• Striving for “a more sustainable motorsports world,” as British racer and decorated New York entrant Sam Bird puts it, was founder Alejandro Agag’s goal years before he established two-year-old Extreme E.

• The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is in Brooklyn, N.Y., for the New York E-Prix doubleheader, July 16-17.

If the lyrics to the iconic “New York, New York” song hold true, British Jaguar TCS Racing driver Sam Bird can make it anywhere.

He has “made it” in New York City, winning three times since the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship first brought its quiet-but-quick all-electric open-wheel series to Brooklyn in 2017. Bird won both segments of that first visit of the electric-powered open-wheel series to New York. And he’s the most recent winner as the series returns this weekend for Rounds 11 and 12 of the 16-race schedule.

“I’m really excited to head back to New York. It’s a circuit I’ve performed really well at in the past. It’s always a demanding weekend in New York,” Bird said, “but I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully another strong result for the team.” He could use a boost, as he’s 12th in the standings.

One of his strongest rivals is teammate Mitch Evans, who will enter this stop on the international circuit in fourth place, just a single point behind No. 3-ranked Stoffel Van Doorne, of Germany. ROKiT Venturi Racing’s Edoardo Mortara, a five-year Formula E veteran, leads the standings, and Jean-Eric Vergne (a 2018 and 2019 Brooklyn winner) is second. Vergne, of the DS Tacheetah team, claimed both of his crowns (2017-18 and 2018-19) at New York, becoming the series’ first two-time and back-to-back champion.

Resolute despite the stiff competition, Evans, of New Zealand, has some unfinished business here in the U.S. He was in the title hunt until the final day of last season. But his championship hopes took a hit, literally, at New York. So the one-time protégé of former Formula 1 racer Mark Webber has an impassioned reason to return and stay on point.

“Last year, a very late brush with the wall compromised what was looking to be a really strong result,” Evans said of Jaguar TCS’s anticipated 1-2 finish. “This year I’m coming back even more focused and determined to push for a podium result again. The championship fight is on, so we need to maximize every opportunity.”

He owns the fastest lap ever on the New York City course, at 1:10.050 minutes.