Evans "hurts in every aspect emotionally" after Berlin Formula E crash
Mitch Evans “hurts in every aspect emotionally” after his 2021 Berlin E-Prix startline glitch sparked a heavy shunt and eliminated him from the Formula E title race.
The Jaguar Racing driver entered the race in prime contention for the crown, having qualified third while points leader Nyck de Vries started down in 13th to boost the Kiwi’s chances of overturning the five-point deficit he held to the Mercedes driver.
Evans lurched forward only a matter of inches at the start before his car then sat motionless and he was hit by unsighted Venturi racer Edoardo Mortara, who had been second in the points.
Mortara ripped the front-left corner off his Venturi Racing machine and, in the impact, the rear of Evans’ car was lifted into the air, and he was spun around.
After the cars were made safe, Evans was extricated and did not require further medical attention, while Mortara was taken to hospital for precautionary checks in line with FIA regulations.
Speaking to Autosport, Evans said of his condition: “I'm a little sore but it hurts in every aspect emotionally.”
Although the cause has not yet been fully identified, it is thought that an inverter failure or possible MGU fault are the most likely suspects.
Describing the incident, Evans said: “We just went through the normal starting procedure and then obviously, when the lights went out, I went to release the paddle that triggers the start and something tripped.
“It got going and then it tripped and that was it done.
"I have no idea, it’s never ever happened in the hundreds of launches I've done in testing and throughout the whole season.”
Evans was shown to immediately look in his mirrors to check for approaching cars.
Mitch Evans, Jaguar Racing
Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images
He said: “I knew the issue I had was terminal. Then you just hope no one hits you.
“I could see Edo coming and just braced myself. It was a big hit.”
Evans did credit eventual champion de Vries, who dived to the inside wall to miss the wreckage, but admitted the “pain” would last well into the off-season.
“It just came unfortunately at the worst possible time,” Evans added.
“I'm gutted for myself and the whole team. We did everything right this weekend, we were quick and put ourselves in a great position for the race.
“All we had to do was just pull off a really clean race and it would have probably been 'job done'.
“I'm just a bit shocked and speechless.
“Nyck definitely deserved the championship just as much as I think I would deserve it.
“It's going to hurt for a long time.
“You just have to accept it and swallow it somehow, even though it's painful.”
Mortara was also taken to hospital in the opening Diriyah E-Prix round when a braking failure on his Mercedes powertrain sent him into the barriers following a practice start.
Related video
#ThinkingForward with Susie Wolff
Jaguar Racing: Monaco E-Prix Highlights
Jaguar Racing: Sam Bird Monaco Garage Tour
Why a brutal title defence can still yield another Formula E crown
It hasn't been properly reflected by the points table, but Antonio Felix da Costa has been nigh-on flawless in his Formula E title defence in 2021. Returning to the scene of his Berlin dominance in 2020, he has the chance to set the record straight and claim a remarkable against-the-odds second title
Why Audi was right and wrong in Formula E's loophole row
OPINION: With Audi's Formula E exit imminent, it had nothing to lose in London by attempting to vault Lucas di Grassi into the lead by pitting him under the safety car. Scorn directed at the team for putting glory before ethics should instead be pointed at a rulebook that allowed such a move in the first place
Why Formula E's London return delivered anarchy in the UK
Formula E landed for a London E-Prix for the first time since 2016, at the indoor-outdoor circuit around the ExCeL. Featuring the birth of renewed title pushes, a long-awaited maiden win and the second race's controversy, the round proved to be an exhibition of the electric series' anarchic nature
Why consistency can't be relied upon for Formula E title success
It's commonly upheld as the most straightforward method of racking up titles. But, due to the unique qualifying format used in Formula E, a consistent approach can actively work against a driver and make their life harder in races. So with four races to go, is now the time to ditch the tried-and-tested approach for a win-or-bust mentality?
How Bird's crash recovery became Formula E's fairytale of New York
After crashing in practice during the opening session at the New York City E-Prix, Sam Bird immediately had a recovery job on his hands. But the Jaguar driver rose through the order and secured victory in the second race - and with it, the championship lead. Here's how an Englishman in New York became top of the heap
Why Formula E is plotting a major change of philosophy
Formula E has become famed for its unpredictability, which can yield exciting races - but it can be argued that it robs the all-electric championship of a clear narrative and doesn't adequately reward the best drivers. The series wants to change that, and renew its philosophy ahead of the introduction of its next-generation car
How Puebla's high-altitude encounter gave Formula E's new leader breathing space
With the usual Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez venue unavailable to Formula E, it visited the little Puebla circuit to keep its foot in the door in Mexico. A near-winner two years ago, Pascal Wehrlein looked in swaggering form throughout the weekend - but a breathless final encounter helped put Edoardo Mortara in the driving seat
The half-term report cards of each Formula E team in 2020-21
In an eventful Formula E season, punctuated by rain and energy-conservation controversy, the 12 teams contesting the championship have endured many challenges in the opening seven races. Here's how they've got on across the first half of the season.
