Cheng to Sub in Jaguar I-PACE Due to Coronavirus Travel Impact

Former IndyCar driver Mario Dominguez will drive the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY VIP car at this weekend’s round in Mexico City, while David Cheng is among other additional entries.

Dominguez drove in CART / Champ Car for a number of seasons in the 2000s and took race wins at Surfers Paradise and Miami, before moving to the FIA GT Championship in 2009.

He’ll drive the Jaguar VIP car in his home race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday.

“I am really looking forward to racing in front of my home crowd in Mexico City, the atmosphere is going to be electrifying,” he said.

“This will be my first time competing in an electric race car and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the I-PACE eTROPHY and push it to its limits.”

A number of other new entries and replacement drivers have also been confirmed for the series’ first race since the Diriyah double-header in November.

David Cheng, whose Jackie Chan DC Racing team competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and Mexican driver Manuel Cabrera will drive the two Jaguar China Racing cars.

They’re stepping in for Zhang Yaqi and Sun Chao, who have been unable to travel to Mexico due to flight restrictions from the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Cheng, who has been UK-based in recent weeks prior to the outbreak in his hometown of Wuhan, previously drove the Jaguar VIP car at Sanya last year.

Adalberto Baptista will drive an additional car for Jaguar Brazil, joining full-season drivers Caca Bueno and defending champion Sergio Jimenez.

Baptista previously drove in Renault Sport Trophy before moving to Brazilian Porsche Cup series.

These additions will be joined by Takuma Aoki, the previously confirmed driver who will become the first disabled person to enter an international electric motor race.

“We are looking forward to racing again in Mexico City,” commented series manager Mark Turner.

“It is great to see some new faces on the grid, including Adalberto Baptista, Takuma Aoki and Manuel Cabrera.

“The Mexico City crowds are extremely passionate so we hope they enjoy watching the series for the second time.

“I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to local VIP driver Mario Dominguez who will be joining us this weekend.”

Qualifying and the race on Saturday will both be streamed live on Jaguar Cars’ YouTube channel.

While Jaguar is yet to release a full entry list, it’s believed the grid will have around 11 cars in total, with the aforementioned entries expected to join the two Saudi Racing cars plus Simon Evans and Alice Powell.