Evans stresses Monaco Formula E 'shouldn't be touched'

In a RacingNews365 exclusive, Mitch Evans has raised concerns that Formula E's move to make Monaco a double-header next season could cause the venue to lose its "shine", and has stressed that the race "shouldn't be touched". 

Monaco has become a real hotspot for Formula E ever since the all-electric series started using the full Circuit de Monaco Grand Prix layout in 2021. 

The statistics from recent races in Monaco are extraordinary, with this season's race – which was won by Evans – having produced an incredible 197 overtakes. When compared to F1's woeful four overtakes this year, Formula E puts F1 to shame at the Principality. 

Formula E has proven to be such a success in Monaco, that it was granted permission for a double-header to be hosted next year; however, Evans believes it will result in the crown jewel losing some of its magic.

"To be totally blunt, yes," Evans exclusively told RacingNews365. "Look, it depends which way you look at it. If you look at it from just a pure-driving event point-of-view, to have two races there is amazing. 

"It's an amazing location, the track is really well suited for Formula E, one of the most famous tracks in the world. So from that side, from a driving perspective, amazing. But it's Monaco. 

"Monaco is so special, and I feel like all doubleheaders just takes a little bit of... I keep using prestige but it just takes a little bit of the highlight away from the winners. And I feel like Monaco was the one that should not be touched."

Double-header bias

On the recently unveiled Season 11 calendar, Monaco is one of six cities set to host a double-header. This year, five cities have already hosted a double-header, with next weekend's season finale in London to be the sixth. 

Evans is not a fan of doubleheaders in general and would rather each city only host one race. He understands the reasoning behind why Formula E do this, but still insists Monaco should remain untouched. 

The New Zealander, as mentioned, claimed victory in Monaco earlier this year and finally broke his curse at the venue, having come agonisingly close to the win on several previous occasions. 

Whilst driving at Monaco more will be enjoyable, Evans is adamant that out of all the cities, Monaco should be the one that remains a single-header to keep its "prestige".

"I don't want to keep sounding negative about the calendar itself, but I think that's going to have mixed reviews from everyone," Evans stated. "But I'm going to love driving it two times over the weekend, that's for sure.

"I think there's just so much weight behind that race, and I think it's going to definitely take away the shine from the winners because it's always been a single-header there.

"I feel like I'd rather have all the other races as doubleheaders and that one be the only single-header, if I could be selfish enough if I had to choose one.

"It just seems very biased towards doubleheaders at the moment. I feel like that race shouldn't be touched."

Single-header intensity

Another reason why Evans is in favour of just more single-header races in general, is that he believes it increases the intensity of an event. 

With a double-header, there is the element of a driver having a second chance the following day, should the opening race go poorly. 

Rookies often benefit from doubleheaders and tend to enjoy their best performances, as they can take their learnings into the second race.

"I think to really execute one day, just adds a bit more intensity to the day when it's a single-header," continued Evans. 

"When you go a double-header, you kind of feel like you have two shots at it, you can kind of ease into the weekend a bit more, whereas a  single-header just comes at you so thick and fast. So this is more of a challenge. 

"It is what it is. As I said, I'm going to be really happy to race there two times in one weekend, but I think we should look at having that one as a single-header."