Evans still searching for historic Monaco 'cigar'

Mitch Evans heads into the Monaco E-Prix hoping that this season will be fourth time lucky, having finished on the podium in the last three races at the Circuit de Monaco.

Consistently, the Jaguar driver has been rapid at the Principality and even topped free practice one by three-tenths of a second, highlighting his immediate flow with the circuit.

However, gelling with the track does not guarantee victory, as the New Zealander has discovered the last three seasons.

Last year, Evans was defeated by new team-mate Nick Cassidy, who claimed victory for customer Jaguar outfit Envision.

Evans is hopeful that he can finally be victorious in Monaco on Saturday but he is entering race day without putting any pressure on his shoulders.

"I hope so," Evans told RacingNews365 whilst smiling. "We've been saying that the last three years, it's gonna be this year it's gonna be this year.

"So look, it's kind of like the championship. I feel like every year is a time closer, but no cigar. So I'm kind of expecting the same again. I'm sorry, I'm hoping not to expect the same. But I'm just kind of going with kind of no real pressure.

"And I think last year was like, has to be this year with both the championship and even this race. So I think anything can happen. But yeah, obviously, even in GP2 I was on the podium loads and never won.

"So it's just frustrating not to get that first one here. But I think I've proven I can pretty much do it here. It's just circumstantial sometimes. But hopefully, yeah, tomorrow, we can get it done."

Inconsistent penalties

Of all the drivers, Evans has been perhaps the most outspoken regarding the inconsistent stewarding which has impacted him this season.

Several drivers have questioned some of the decisions which have been made this year, with Evans pointing out to RacingNews365 on Friday that it would be discussed during drivers' briefing.

He recognises and acknowledges that consistency is difficult but feels something must be done to fix the current situation.

"We have to have the drivers' briefing, but I think yeah, I think there's going to be a lot of points raised as well," Evans said. "I feel like it's one of these topics, or topics where it's just like a never ending fight.

"So, yeah, but it's something I think needs to just be addressed. Because I feel like there's been some obvious inconsistencies this year. I mean, obviously, race to race, we have different driver stewards.

"So even just from that it can change the consistent kind of decision-making on some of the penalties. But yeah, I've just not really been on the good side of them for the last few, but it can happen in all categories.

"I don't know what the best solution is to fix that. But there's definitely been some strange calls this year."