Mitch Evans on his fresh start with Opel: “Not a risk, but an opportunity”

Ten years with Jaguar, twice runner-up in the world championship, the most successful driver in Formula E with 16 wins – yet without a drivers’ title, but twice team champion with the British side. Mitch Evans (32) is set to tackle the new era of the electric series from the upcoming Season 13 onwards with the Gen4 cars as team leader of the new Opel GSE team. But how did this sensational move come about?

“Even before last season, I’d been feeling that I wanted to try something new for the Gen4 era. With a new car and new rules, it was the perfect time for a change. My management (still Mark Webber, ed.) was in contact with several teams, and ultimately with two manufacturers. In my discussions with Opel, I sensed passion, a lot of energy and a drive for success – in other words, everything that drives me too. We were practically on the same wavelength right from the start of the talks, which made the decision easy. Everything was sorted out quite early on in the last season. “Opel’s entry into Formula E will be an exciting time, and for me, this new environment will be a fresh challenge, a fresh start, a new chapter in my career,” says the New Zealander in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com.

Confidence ahead of the season opener

As for whether the move to a new team with a rookie as the second driver, Théo Pourchaire, is a risk, Evans says: “I don’t think so. Of course, a team change always carries a certain amount of risk because you never know what’s going to happen. But I don’t see that as a problem because the team’s foundation is very strong. We’re working on being competitive right from the start. We don’t just want to be there for the sake of it. Obviously, there’s a lot I need to get to know at Opel first, but I’m very confident that I’ll be able to settle in quickly and have a solid working foundation. And there will also be synergies within Stellantis. So I don’t see my decision as a risk, but as a new, exciting opportunity.”

He is also in regular contact with his Citroën colleagues Nick Cassidy (his former Jaguar team-mate) and Jean-Eric Vergne, who are racing with the same powertrain: “Nick and Jev are already involved in the development of Gen4; we’ve talked a lot about it and are working together to find the path to success. I’m very confident, even though the leap from Gen3 to Gen4 is going to be absolutely mad. The next four years are going to be very exciting, and we’ll be in a good position.”

Significantly faster Formula E cars

Mitch assesses the new Gen4 cars and the changes to the racing format as follows: “The cars will be more efficient to drive and are significantly faster, so the races should be even more interesting. But to be honest, none of us really knows what to expect until we’re in Jeddah for the season opener in December.”

If the Jeddah race goes ahead (depending on the war situation in the Gulf), Formula E will race on seven Formula 1 circuits in 2026/27. Evans explains: “I really loved the tight street circuits. But now we have cars with much more power, so I understand why we’re racing more on permanent circuits. The performance level of the cars forces us onto such tracks. It’s not easy for the Formula E management to make the right choice. The calendar for Season 13 is the biggest yet, and I think the balance is quite good. That said, the races in Tokyo or Sanya could be particularly interesting.” And moving on to the biggest calendar yet, with 21 races: “That’s fine by me. It’s not as if there are 21 weekends. I’m fine with that.”

Missed Formula 1 opportunity ‘hard to accept’

Unlike some of his colleagues, Evans will not be competing in endurance racing. “I definitely have the option to do so. I was also in contact with a Hypercar team before this season. I’d really love to race at Le Mans again, but my priority right now is Formula E. And taking on two jobs has to make sense.”

When asked whether the drivers’ title, which he has narrowly missed out on several times, weighs on him, Evans replies: “Of course it crosses my mind time and again, because my goal is to win races and, with that, a championship. I’m proud of many of my races and of the record for the most wins. I’ve come close several times. What was ultimately missing – I don’t know. Was it down to me, or were there other circumstances? Regardless, I’ll give my best at Opel. I’m fast enough for the next step.”

Das neue Gen4-Auto ist effizienter und deutlich flotter als sein Vorgänger

Foto: Opel

Evans was on the verge of breaking into Formula 1, but the door remained closed: “I never tried to raise money for Formula 1. I was in contact with four Formula 1 teams at the end of 2013, but there were other drivers with big budgets. It’s hard to accept, having won everything right up to GP2. There were a few drivers who deserved a proper chance in Formula 1 – just look at Antonio (Felix da Costa, ed.). Fortunately, I’ve found a home in Formula E.”

And in this new environment, there are also two new challenges: “I’ve already learnt a bit of German. And I need to improve my French too,” says Mitch with a smile.