Mitch Evans misses Gen4 test due to unclear Formula E future: "I'm unsure what their plans are"

The first manufacturer test drives with the Gen4 cars are currently taking place in Spain. However, one driver is surprisingly missing: Mitch Evans, who has been driving for Jaguar TCS Racing in Formula E since season 3, is not yet involved in the development of the new Gen4 car. The reason for this is that his contract for the coming season has not yet been finalised.

Since Jaguar entered Formula E in the 2016-17 season, Mitch Evans has been one of the team's central figures. Without his driving achievements over the past nine years, the team would probably not have achieved the success it has today. With the departure of team principal James Barclay, Evans remains the last constant key figure from Jaguar's founding period in Formula E.

However, he will not take part in the first Gen4 tests in Monteblanco (Spain) in November. "No, I haven't driven it (the Gen4 car) yet and I won't be in Monteblanco", said the New Zealander in an interview with the colleagues from RacingNews365.

Loyalty despite setbacks

Evans' career at Jaguar was characterised by highs and lows. One low point was the final race of the 2023/24 season in London, where he lost the battle for the drivers' title to Pascal Wehrlein. In season 11, Jaguar did manage to finish second in the team standings, while Evans went eleven races in a row without scoring points between his two race wins in Sao Paulo and Berlin and only finished 13th in the drivers' standings at the end of the season.

Despite this, Evans emphasises his loyalty to the team: "I feel very much part of the team. I don't see myself moving, but it obviously has to fit both parties. I'm also unsure what their plans are."

"I think it's natural"

Evans wants to start Gen4 testing as soon as possible, but cannot be involved in vehicle development by the team without a new contract. If he were to leave Jaguar at the end of the season, he would be able to pass on too much technical expertise to the competition. "I think it's natural -  if you don’t have a driver committed to that regulation change at the moment, you don’t keep them involved in development or up to speed with things."

Evans, however, is confident that a decision will be made soon and sees his expiring contract as a natural time to provide clarity. "It was just more the timing of my contract," he describes. "There are still quite a few options out there. Obviously, you want to have that secured as quickly as possible, but we'll be crossing that bridge very soon."

Before the Gen4 era begins, however, the last Gen3 season is coming up. This begins in just under four weeks' time with the Sao Paulo E-Prix - expected to be Evans' 127th Formula E race for Jaguar.