Mitch Evans facing sticky Jaguar Formula E Gen4 situation: 'It's natural'

Mitch Evans has revealed that he is currently not involved in Jaguar’s development of its Gen4 car, as it remains unclear where he will race next season — a decision he believes is “natural.”

Evans’ contract expires at the end of the upcoming final season of the Gen3 era, and it has not yet been confirmed whether he will continue with Jaguar in Season 13 (2026/27).

The New Zealander has raced for Jaguar since it entered Formula E in 2016 and has been a key player in the team’s growth into one of the most successful outfits in the championship’s history.

However, with his future uncertain, Evans has not been involved in Jaguar’s Gen4 development and will not be present at next month’s Gen4 manufacturers’ test in Monteblanco, Spain.

"No, I haven’t driven it, and I won’t be in Monteblanco,” Evans told RacingNews365 during an interview. "So yeah, my Gen4 stuff is still unknown. Hopefully it’s here so I can get involved in testing. But yeah, I’m sure of it right now."

It has been a rollercoaster ride for Evans with the Big Cat, full of highs and lows. The past 18 months have included several lows — notably his public frustration and anger over team radio in London 2024, where the 31-year-old lost the drivers’ title. 

After several years fighting at the front, last season came as a shock for Jaguar, which found itself a midfield team for much of the campaign. It ended with Nick Cassidy leaving for Citroën Racing and long-time team boss James Barclay departing to head McLaren’s WEC programme. 

Having been with Evans since the start of Jaguar’s Formula E journey, Barclay’s exit leaves the driver as the final key figure remaining from Day 1. Is there such a thing as being with a team for too long? Perhaps — but Evans is unsure whether a Jaguar departure is necessary.

"You have to wait and see," said Evans, on if a fresh start is needed. "I feel very much part of the team. I don’t see myself moving, but it obviously has to fit both parties. I’m also unsure what their plans are. 

"With Gen4 testing starting soon, I kind of want to understand where I’m going to be so I can start putting my mind toward that. But yeah, there’s no reason for me to be moving, though we’ll have those chats when the time comes."

Evans understands Jaguar's stance

Pressed on whether this could be his last season with Jaguar, Evans responded: "No, not at all. I mean, it could be, but I don’t see that, to be honest — but you never know."

While the first season of Gen4 is still just over 13 months away, seats are quickly being taken as several drivers have signed multi-year contracts. However, some include exit clauses effective at the end of the upcoming season.

To ensure Evans secures a strong seat and has sufficient time to support a team in its Gen4 development, a decision on his future will be needed soon. Evans, however, does not necessarily see it that way and remains confident that several options are still available.

Asked if time is running out to secure a strong Gen4 seat, Evans said: "Not really. It was just more the timing of my contract. But no, there are still quite a few options out there. 

"Obviously, you want to have that secured as quickly as possible, but we’ll be crossing that bridge very soon."

Unsurprisingly, with his future unclear, Jaguar has kept Evans out of Gen4 development — a move intended to protect the manufacturer should its driver join a rival with key technical information.

While Evans wants to be involved in Gen4 development, he understands Jaguar’s stance.

“I think it’s natural — if you don’t have a driver committed to that regulation change at the moment, you don’t keep them involved in development or up to speed with things," he explained.

"So I think it’s completely natural, but it’s something I want to understand soon so I can be involved and not get left behind."