Evans applying 'less pressure' after magnitude of 2023 disappointment

Mitch Evans has revealed that he is putting "less pressure" on himself to win the Formula E drivers' championship this season, having been "really disappointed" after falling short in 2023. 

The Jaguar driver enters the final four rounds of the season as the title outsider once again, following a recent flurry of impressive results. 

Two wins in the last five races has elevated him into third in the standings, and 35 points of championship leader – and his team-mate – Nick Cassidy.

There is a sense of deja vu for Evans, as just like last season, he began the campaign below-par but has wrestled his way into title contention at the business end of the season. 

Missing out on the title last year hurt the New Zealander, with his hopes having effectively gone up in smoke after launching over the top of Cassidy in the second race of the 2023 Rome E-Prix.

What happened in Rome played an instrumental part in why he left last season so disappointed. He is not discounting his title chances this year, but is trying to keep the pressure off as much as possible.

"I'm probably putting less pressure on myself this year, compared to last year, to try and win the championship, even though the drivers' is still there," Evans told RacingNews365. 

"Because I did really leave last year, really disappointed. Probably because of how Rome was last year as well, that second race. 

"Look, we'll see, basically, I think once we get through Portland, it will be a lot clearer with how things will be in terms of the approach for the last race." 

Little to lose

Whilst there are still 116 points up for grabs, 35 points is a much larger margin than Evans would like to be behind Cassidy. 

However, with two extreme pelotons likely to take place at the end of June in Portland, the standings could change drastically after Formula E's weekend in America. 

Nevertheless, Evans is very much the outsider, a position which feels "kind of normal" for him. Because of this, though, he recognises he has very little to lose.

"I'm just really trying to take as much weight out of that situation, because I feel like, I've haven't really got much to lose," added Evans.

"I've been in this position quite a few times. That kind of feels, kind of normal. If I can have a strong weekend in Portland, then I know London should be a good track for us. 

"We can be strong there, hopefully. But yeah, we will have to wait and see."