Mitch Evans serious option for Opel Formula E move - report

Mitch Evans is reportedly a serious option for Formula E’s newest outfit, Opel, which will join the all-electric championship next season for the arrival of Gen4.

According to The Race, Evans has received an offer from the Stellantis-owned German brand, which will run as a full manufacturer operation in Formula E.

The publication reports that Andretti’s Jake Dennis was originally approached by Opel before signing a multi-year contract extension with the American outfit.

Now, Evans is a key target for the German manufacturer, with RacingNews365 understanding that 2023 F2 champion Théo Pourchaire is also a candidate high on Opel’s list.

On Wednesday morning, Sophia Flörsch was announced by Opel as its test and development driver from next season, making her the first driver in any role to be signed by the team.

Whether at Opel or not, an Evans departure from Jaguar feels inevitable and has done ever since he revealed during pre-season testing in Valencia last November that he had been excluded from Gen4 development.

As things stand, the New Zealander is yet to be involved in Jaguar’s Gen4 programme in any way, with team-mate Antonio Felix da Costa and reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne having filled those duties.

The hiring of Vandoorne from Maserati at the end of last season as a reserve driver also felt like a sign of the direction Evans was heading, given the rarity of a driver of the Belgian’s calibre sitting on the bench.

Should Evans leave, Vandoorne is seen by many in the paddock as the clear and obvious replacement at the start of Gen4, in the form of a promotion from reserve to a full-time seat.

Evans leaving Jaguar would represent the end of an incredible relationship with the Big Cat, with the duo having been together since the British manufacturer entered Formula E in Season 3.

It has not been without its issues, most notably the Season 10 finale, with the infamous team order instructions over the radio involving Evans and Nick Cassidy, which saw the title lost by both to Pascal Wehrlein.

Plasters have been placed on wounds since then, but Evans’ radio fury in Madrid highlighted that those plasters are beginning to peel off.

Evans was furious with the strategy deployed by Jaguar, which denied him a chance to overtake da Costa for victory.

When asked by RacingNews365 in the Madrid media pen after finishing second behind his team-mate whether incidents of that nature play on his mind when making a decision about his future, Evans swiftly replied: "100%."