Mitch Evans: “It’s A Dream Come True”

Newly-crowned GP3 Champion Mitch Evans has explained winning the Drivers’ Championship as a “dream come true”, after the MW Arden driver endured a roller-coaster weekend of emotions to clinch the GP3 Championship after a race-long battle with the Lotus of Daniel Abt.

Mitch Evans was a dominant figure within the GP3 paddock throughout the season, as the Kiwi led the Championship Standings all season-long. Although Evans was pushed by fellow competitors Aaro Vainio, Daniel Abt and Antonio Felix da Costa, the rising star shrugged off the opposition despite a disastrously uncompetitive final two races of the season around the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza. Both races saw Mitch Evans flounder towards the back of the pack, after running wide at turn 7 during both races on the Saturday and the Sunday.

“If you told me at the start of the season I would be Champion before this season I wouldn’t be able to describe how I would feel.” Explained Mitch Evans, after finally clinching the Drivers’ Championship, “Now I’ve been crowned Champion, I have no words to describe this. It’s a dream come true. I’ve sacrificed my whole life to come to Europe and it’s so rewarding to win a title in my second year in Europe. There are so many people who made this possible, I can’t name everyone but they know who they are. This championship isn’t just for me, it’s for so many people.”

Throughout yesterday morning’s final race, Mitch Evans needed only either finish in the points, or have Daniel Abt denied victory to become Champion. After dropping to the back of the pack on the eighth lap during the finale, Mitch Evans began to rely heavily on Tio Ellinas, who began to reel in race leader and provisional Champion Daniel Abt. Whilst Evans circulated at the back, his only information on the battle at the front came from the various TV screens lining the track, and his mechanics via the team radio.

“Yes, they were and I was also trying to keep an eye on the TV screens.” Continued Mitch Evans, when asked whether his team was keeping him informed on the race. “I guess when Daniel [Abt] got into the lead the team tried to keep as quiet as possible. I knew Abt was leading when I had my puncture, so emotionally I was heartbroken. I was watching Tio [Ellinas] on the TV screen at every chance I had. I probably wasn’t paying enough attention to my driving! I was screaming in my helmet ‘Go Tio’ as I knew that was my only hope for the title. I went to see him and say thank you, he was my lifesaver. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”

After qualifying on pole for the opening race of the weekend, many predicted Mitch Evans would wrap up the Championship on the Saturday afternoon. However, after a problem with the clutch lever at the start, the 18-year-old suffered a disastrous race that had the potential to ruin his hopes of winning the Championship. After retiring from the race, this meant Evans had to start the all-important season finale on the Sunday morning from last. Once again, he suffered a troublesome race, but Daniel Abt’s inability to take victory played into his hands, and enabled him to take the Drivers’ Championship by only finishing 20th during the final race.

“After practice and qualifying I felt really comfortable for the race.” Said Mitch Evans, recapping on his eventful weekend. “I got a shocking start, I had a problem with the clutch leaver and I didn’t nail it. I paid the price for it in turn one so I should take the blame for that. I was unfortunate to get the damage to the car after going over the kerb and it was not able to be repaired. I couldn’t continue. In Race 2, I drove my heart out and I made up 18 positions in the first half of the race and was around P7. I was catching the leaders so it would have been good to have seen where I would have ended up but unfortunately we got a puncture. It’s been a huge emotional roller-coaster this weekend. To have two bad races, and then to win the championship is probably quite unusual but it’s also amazing.”

The previous two Champions of GP3, Esteban Gutierrez and Valtteri Bottas, have since progressed up the motor sport ladder. Gutierrez is now an established GP2 driver, racing for front runners Lotus whereas Valtteri Bottas is currently the Williams F1 reserve driver. Mitch Evans is currently unsure as to where he’ll end up for the 2013 season, with GP2 naturally the most appealing graduation for the Kiwi.

“Winning this championship, I receive a very nice cheque from Pirelli if I graduate to GP2 so that makes the transition to GP2 even more attractive which I think is the ultimate step for me.” Explained Mitch Evans, “Right now I need to get a budget together. For GP2, it will be tricky so we will work hard during the off-season to put a budget together. Hopefully we will be in the same paddock next year.”

Wherever Mitch Evans ends up next season, he’s most certainly on course to becoming one of the stars of the future. The GP2 and GP3 Series were founded to offer young drivers with the ability to show their potential on current F1 circuits. This season, Mitch Evans has done just that and will undoubtedly return next season as competitive as ever…wherever his motor sport career takes him.

Picture Copyright © Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service