Evans was “just hoping to see the chequered flag” in last-to-first Sao Paulo E-Prix win

Mitch Evans has revealed he was “simply hoping to see the chequered flag” having taken a shock victory within the Method E Sao Paulo season-opener from final on the grid.

The Jaguar driver was tormented by a powertrain problem over the weekend that introduced him to a halt within the opening follow session and prevented him from setting a lap in qualifying.

Beginning final on the streets of Sao Paulo, the place Evans gained in 2023 and completed as runner-up final season, the Kiwi made swift progress in a 35-lap race that was tormented by two purple flags.

“It was a loopy one at present,” mentioned Evans, who turned the primary driver in Method E historical past to win from final. 

“Lining up on the grid I used to be initially simply hoping to see the chequered flag as a result of we had some points on observe during the last two days which clearly prevented me from doing qualifying and chopping one of many follow periods brief, so there was undoubtedly some concern there.

“However as soon as the race began, I simply needed to neglect about it and simply hope from that facet it was all advantageous.”

Evans was inside the highest 10 by the second lap and capitalised on the overpowered efficiency of Assault Mode, the 350kW activation triggering all-wheel-drive within the new Gen3 Evo automobiles.

Like team-mate Nick Cassidy, Evans deployed his second Assault Mode later than others and after the primary purple flag, which provided a particular strategic benefit towards these forward.

“That [the start] actually modified my race shortly as a result of I used to be beginning to get into the mid-pack and began to shift my focus to optimise this race much more,” mentioned Evans.

“As soon as guys began taking Assault Mode it was fairly eye-opening how a lot progress folks had been making so I simply wished to try to be intelligent with that. I went with my intestine slightly bit, timed all of it fairly good.”

Having handed Cassidy at first of lap 29 for the lead, a second purple flag was proven the next tour after Cassidy and Wehrlein collided, which despatched the latter airborne and to hospital for precautionary checks.

With a four-lap sprint to the flag, Evans drove defensively to remain forward of Porsche’s Antonio Felix da Costa, in addition to the 2 McLarens of Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird, each of whom had extra power in reserve.

“I most likely thought it was finished out of the final nook on the final lap,” added Evans. “The entire race was very unpredictable and within the final 4 laps with this man [da Costa] respiration down your neck, you don’t know what may occur.

“It might have been good to have a calmer finish to the race however bought it finished so I assume that’s what issues.”