Yesterday, Mitch Evans officially announced his plan for the next season, ahead of the GEN4 Era. The 32-year-old will join the newly added team to the grid, Opel GSE Formula E, for the 2026/27 season.
The End of an Era
Evans spent a decade of his Formula E career with Jaguar TCS Racing. His time with the team was successful, with many victories under his belt and seasons of fighting for the championship. He established himself as one of the most promising drivers on the grid. The move to Opel ends one of the longest-standing partnerships in Formula E history. However, Evans leaves the team with no regrets.
Regarding his decision to move, he explains that ”After ten years with a manufacturer, it was time for me to take on a fresh challenge. The leap to the GEN4 cars represents the perfect moment to start something new.”
Experience vs a Rookie
Joining him in Opel’s debut season is Théo Pourchaire. Though this will be his first full season as a Formula E driver, he is no stranger to the electric race crafts. Participating in multiple rookie test days, Pourchaire understands the behind-the-scenes setups to push the car to its limits.
This is crucial for a new team – experience behind the wheel is essential to start fighting for points and make a statement early on in the season. The team is a combination of experience and youth, traits that can help develop the team.
What Can Evans Do?
There may be one question lingering over this move – can Mitch Evans win the World Drivers’ Championship? After chasing the title for a decade, it remains a goal for the man from New Zealand. Holding the record for the most victories in Formula E, Evans has proved he can perform under pressure.
When asked about the title, he explained, ”The title clearly remains the big goal for me; in this respect, I still have a score to settle in Formula E. That’s exactly why the move to Opel feels like the right new challenge for me.”
Outside of his personal goals, Evans understands the goals of a newly established team. He explains that ”the team isn’t just coming into the series to compete: Opel is here to win, and that’s exactly what I aspire to.”
Heading into a new era as a new team is a challenge that fans will be looking forward to seeing. With such a promising lineup, the team has the opportunity to build something big.