GAYDON, UK - Mitch Evans says he is relishing the opportunity to make a “fresh start” with Jaguar in Formula E after spending the past four years racing in GP2.
Evans, 22, was announced as one of Jaguar’s full-time race drivers for its maiden Formula E season as it prepares to return to top-line international motorsport after a 12-year absence.
Evans won the GP3 title back in 2012 before stepping up to GP2, where he has won five races and recorded a best finish of fourth place in the drivers’ standings in 2014.
The New Zealander has completed some sportscar racing over the past two seasons, as well as testing a Porsche LMP1 car last winter, hinting at a desire to move out of GP2.
At the launch of Jaguar’s first Formula E car, the I-Type, on Thursday, Evans said he felt ready to cut ties with GP2 and make the next step up in his career.
“I’m ready to depart GP2. It hasn’t gone overly well for me,” Evans told NBC Sports.
“This is a great way to have a fresh start and I’m really excited by the future of the championship.
“I’m delighted to be joining Formula E with Jaguar. It’s a bit of a dream for me. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and to be racing some of the top drivers in the world as well.
“It’s all come in a bit quick for me, a lot to soak up, but I’m excited for the season to start in Hong Kong.”
Evans confirmed that he would see out the GP2 season with Campos, the final two rounds scheduled in Malaysia and Abu Dhabi on weekends that do not clash with Formula E.
“I’ve got a contract with the team. It’s a bit of a sore subject,” Evans said.
“It’s just the way it works out sometimes. At least I can say I’m a GP3 champion, which is nice. I’ve won five GP2 races, so there’s a lot of things I can be proud of in GP2. Just obviously the championship hasn’t worked out.
“Now I’ve got a really exciting new chapter, but I will see out the GP2 championship. There are only two races left. Hopefully we can end that on a high going into Formula E.”
Evans is also open to dovetailing his Formula E commitments with a drive in another series, with a large number of the current grid also racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“I’d love it. I’d love to line another category up parallel to this,” Evans said.
“Obviously they don’t clash, most of the drivers do that anyway. I would love to do that. There are only a couple of championships that allow you to.
“We’ll see. At the moment this is my main priority. If I can find something else, that would be great, in the WEC or whatever it is.
“At the moment I’m focusing on this and soaking in the new opportunity, and then I’ll go from there.”
Evans will make his Formula E debut at the opening race of season three in Hong Kong on October 9.