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 Formulation E Sao Paulo season-opener from final on the grid.

The Jaguar driver was stricken by a powertrain situation 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 stricken by two pink flags.

“It was a loopy one at present,” mentioned Evans, who turned the primary driver in Formulation 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 monitor during the last two days which clearly prevented me from doing qualifying and slicing one of many follow periods quick, so there was undoubtedly some concern there.

“However as soon as the race began, I simply needed to overlook about it and simply hope from that aspect it was all positive.”

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 vehicles.

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

“That [the start] actually modified my race rapidly 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 have been making so I simply needed to attempt to be intelligent with that. I went with my intestine somewhat bit, timed all of it fairly good.”

Having handed Cassidy at first of lap 29 for the lead, a second pink 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 vitality in reserve.

“I most likely thought it was completed 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 acquired it completed so I suppose that’s what issues.”