Opel has introduced that 16-time race winner Mitch Evans will spearhead its entry into Formulation E within the 2026-27 season.
The Kiwi joins the German producer after spending a full decade at Jaguar’s manufacturing facility workforce, the place he claimed the all-time wins report however fell in need of profitable the championship on a number of events.
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He’ll be a part of 2023 Formulation 2 champion Theo Pourchaire, who might be making his Formulation E debut after racing for sister model Peugeot within the World Endurance Championship this 12 months.
Evans is known to have agreed a cope with Opel in the summertime, having revealed again in April that he might be departing Jaguar. However the Stellantis model opted to attend till after the top of the 2025-26 season to announce his signing.
“I’m proud to be an Opel works driver and to be a part of this new chapter in Formulation E. It is nice that we are able to lastly make this step official,” mentioned Evans. “After 10 years with a producer, it was time for me to tackle a recent problem.
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“The leap to the GEN4 vehicles represents the right second to begin one thing new. I instantly felt how a lot vitality and fervour Opel is placing into the Formulation E venture. The workforce is not simply coming into the collection to compete: Opel is right here to win, and that is precisely what I aspire to.”
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing
“Rating to settle”
Evans and Jaguar entered Formulation E collectively in 2016-17, forming some of the profitable partnerships within the collection’ historical past.
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However their relationship was strained by a number of near-misses, with Evans coming agonisingly near the title on a number of events. Most notably in 2023-24, each he after which team-mate Nick Cassidy misplaced out to Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein, main him to comment that “my very own workforce was working in opposition to me” within the championship battle.
Evans and Jaguar have since largely repaired their relationship, with the Kiwi enjoying a key function in serving to the producer win the groups’ title for a second time this season.
As Evans embarks on an bold new chapter with Opel in Gen4, the 32-year-old is focusing on a drivers’ title that has eluded him thus far in his Formulation E profession.
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“The world championship title clearly stays the massive purpose for me, on this respect I nonetheless have a rating to settle in Formulation E,” he mentioned.
“That is precisely why the transfer to Opel looks like the suitable new problem for me. Beginning a brand new Formulation E technology with a brand new workforce and being profitable straight away is something however a matter after all, however that is precisely what appeals to me.
“I need to contribute my expertise from 10 years of Formulation E and play a powerful function on the earth championship along with Opel and Theo.”
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Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing
Mitch Evans, Jaguar TCS Racing
Opel replaces DS
Opel will turn out to be Stellantis’ second model in Formulation E subsequent season, successfully taking the place vacated by DS’s departure from the championship.
However whereas Citroen took over the prevailing Maserati MSG operation, Opel is constructing a race workforce from scratch, whereas additionally serving to Stellantis develop the brand new Gen4 powertrain that can collectively be utilized by each of the group’s manufacturing facility groups.
“We’ve got secured our dream workforce. Mitch Evans was the popular candidate for our Opel GSE Formulation E Staff from the very starting. His dedication as soon as once more underlines the seriousness of the complete venture,” mentioned Opel motorsport director and workforce principal Jorg Schrott.
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“We’ve got already met Mitch on and off the racetrack. Along with his undisputed distinctive sporting pedigree, he additionally matches completely into our workforce as an individual.
“After so a few years with one other producer, he was intentionally in search of a brand new problem. Now the Opel household and Mitch are taking this subsequent step collectively.
“In doing so, we’re sending a transparent message: We’re becoming a member of the world championship to problem on the entrance.”
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In the meantime, the workforce Jay Penske ran in collaboration with departing Stellantis model DS is but to speak its future, because it ponders whether or not to enter Gen4 as a producer in its personal proper or purchase an off-the-shelf powertrain from an current provider.
Learn Additionally:
FIA to crack down on workforce collusion in Formulation E from subsequent season
Did Formulation E’s London finale go too far with workforce video games and private vendettas?
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