Evans reacts to losing Formula E's Adrian Newey

Mitch Evans has admitted that losing former sporting manager Phil Charles "left a big hole" at Jaguar, following his move to DS Penske.

It was announced ahead of this weekend's São Paulo E-Prix that Charles has joined DS Penske as their new Deputy Team Principal, in what is an impressive signing by the outfit.

Charles is often referred to as the Adrian Newey of Formula E, with him having played a key role in Jaguar's phenomenal Gen3 package.

In terms of technical transfers, this is as big as it gets in the all-electric series, with Evans recognising how significant a loss it is to Jaguar.

"We have to wait and see," Evans exclusively told RacingNews365. "We've got loads of talented people in our team. Phil was obviously one of them, he was an instrumental part of our development and our performance.

"But a lot of good stuff came from a really talented group of people, which is still with us. Obviously, it's a big loss, it definitely left a big hole there when he departed, but these moves happen in motorsport."

Evans added: "How he gets on at DS doesn't really bother me. The proofs gonna be in the pudding, right? But wait and see I got loads of respect for Phil and what he can do, he's a really talented person, really, really talented."

Six-week break 'frustrating'

Of course, Evans was victorious in the inaugural São Paulo Formula E event 12 months ago, in what was a historic day for Jaguar – they locked-out the rostrum.

However, the Kiwi heads to Brazil having had something go against him in every race this season, hurting his championship position. The lengthy seven-week break since Diriyah has frustrated Evans, who is keen to get his title prospects back-on-track.

"It was like an awkward gap," Evans told RacingNews365. "But we utilised it as much as we could, we did quite a bit of stuff. Then I had a little bit of time off at the start of the break.

"But when you come off a few awkward races where you don't really like maximise them, you kind of want to just get back into the next one and try to recover those misfortunes or the lack of points. So the break for me was a bit frustrating."

São Paulo last season was the first time the peloton-style of racing was witnessed, with Evans predicting more of the same for Saturday.

"I think the race is gonna be so crazy this weekend, it's gonna be very different," believes Evans. "What we experienced here last year was the first kind of crazy peloton races.

"So naturally, when you come back to a race you've done well, that gives you good vibes and good energy. So it'd be great to repeat that. But the race is gonna be so wild. I think anything, honestly, anything could happen."