Mitch Evans fought his way to a dramatic win at the inaugural Sao Paulo E-Prix as Formula E served up a thrilling race on its debut in Brazil. 

With team-mate Sam Bird claiming third spot on the podium, it was Jaguar's best performance of the season.

Evans said: "This has come at the perfect time.

"We had a tough start but the car has been quick so to finally get the victory and some points is incredible."

Envision Racing’s Nick Cassidy took second place, ensuring that the sixth race of the season was a podium shutout by cars featuring the Jaguar powertrain.

A delighted Evans said: "A Jaguar 1-2-3 and Nick pushed me all the way — we pushed each other — and both teams executed brilliantly.

"This is down to a lot of hard work.

"There is a lot of graft that goes in with simulations and to try and put these races together regarding strategy is not easy. 

"I wouldn't have wanted it much closer than that.

"We obviously thought about track position and where you want to be at certain phases in the races. 

"I had a good energy advantage from quite early on but it was just about trying to find the right time to use the energy advantage. 

"I thought I maybe went a bit too early. 

"Once Nick got behind me he was able to accumulate some energy and he was able to stick to my tow but we got the victory so we obviously managed to do the right job. 

"I'm super happy to get some big points on the board."

Championship leader Pascal Wehrlein stormed up through the field for a seventh-place finish, having started 18th on the grid.

He retains top spot with 86 points with Jake Dennis in second on 62, while Cassidy moves up to third place just a point further back.

There have been five different winners in the opening six races of the all-electric series with a double-header up next in Berlin on April 22 and 23.