Evans enjoys outing in “different beast”

20/04/2018 Drivers, ePrix, Formula E, News

Mitch Evans has described the Gen2 machinery to be used from season five as “a different beast” after taking to the track in the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 at Circuit de Calafat in the north east of Spain.

All nine manufacturers were present at the test, which focused on developing the next generation Formula E car and giving the drivers a chance to try out the new machinery.

Evans, in action for Panasonic Jaguar Racing, believes the team is performing well with the initial tests and hopes that the racing in season five will be “more spectacular” as speeds increase and a futuristic look is adopted for the all-electric series.

“We’ve made progress and are off to a good start,” said the Kiwi. “It’s only the second time the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 has run so we are finding lots of new things, but that’s what testing is all about.

“I think we can be satisfied with where we are in the early stages of testing the car. There are some other teams that looks good and prepared, but I think we are in good shape too.

“I think [the Gen2 car is] going to be huge, even more so now I’ve driven the car just because it’s a different beast, it’s faster. Especially in qualifying mode at 250kW the car is moving pretty quick so I think visually this will be more spectacular around the Formula E circuits. I think it’s very hard to improve the racing at the moment, as we saw in Rome the racing is really close.

“Hopefully, the way the aero works with these cars you won’t get any aero wash so you can still run behind cars and get close. I think the future is bright for the series.”

Evans also spoke of the rising popularity of the sport, especially in the wake of more manufacturers coming on board and getting involved in electric racing.

“It’s growing all the time. Obviously in season six everyone will be in. Next season we will have BMW and a few others but it’s starting to get pretty serious now and these cars are a significant step up, somewhere between a prototype and a single seater. I think the technology is going to develop a lot and I think it should be a good spectacle for everyone watching.”