The Opel GSE Formula E Team has confirmed Mitch Evans as its second driver for the upcoming 2026/27 Formula E season, completing its inaugural line-up alongside Théo Pourchaire. The move marks the beginning of a completely new chapter for Evans, who recently parted ways with Jaguar TCS Racing after ten seasons with the British manufacturer.
Evans played a central role in Jaguar’s Formula E journey throughout their decade together. During that time, the New Zealander regularly fought at the front of the field and mounted several challenges for the Drivers’ Championship. He leaves the team with 16 Formula E victories, making him the most successful race winner in the championship’s history. After such a long period of continuity, Evans will now take his experience to a completely new environment as Opel prepares to make its Formula E debut at the start of the Gen4 era.
The German newcomer will draw on decades of motorsport experience from categories including DTM, Formula Opel and Formula 3. Opel has also built up its electric motorsport expertise through the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, which it has operated since 2021. Opel has already taken significant steps in the development of its Formula E programme. The manufacturer unveiled its Gen4 challenger, the GSE 27FE, at Circuit Paul Ricard earlier this year, with Sophia Flörsch becoming the first driver to complete on-track running in the prototype.
Evans will now bring ten years of Formula E knowledge to the project as Opel works to establish itself at the front of the grid. Alongside rookie Pourchaire, the experienced Kiwi gives the new team a combination of proven Formula E success and young talent heading into its maiden campaign.
Schrott: Evans was Opel’s “first choice”
Opel Motorsport Director and Team Principal Jörg Schrott made clear that the manufacturer had identified Evans as a priority from the beginning of its Formula E project. Schrott believes the New Zealander’s arrival demonstrates the level of ambition behind Opel’s entry into the championship, with the team targeting competitiveness from the outset.
“We’re heading into the season with our dream team. Mitch Evans was our first choice for our Opel GSE Formula E Team right from the start. Signing him once again underlines the seriousness of the entire project. We’ve already got to know Mitch both on and off the track as part of the Opel family. As well as his undisputed sporting excellence, he’s also a perfect fit for our team on a personal level. After so many years with another manufacturer, he deliberately sought out a new challenge. Now Opel and Mitch are taking this next step together. In doing so, we’re sending a clear message: we’re entering the World Championship to compete at the very top.”
Evans embraces a “fresh challenge” with the Opel GSE Formula E Team
For Evans, the move represents his first major change since joining Jaguar at the beginning of its Formula E programme. The switch also comes at a significant moment for the championship, with Formula E introducing its Gen4 machinery for the 2026/27 season. Evans believes the regulatory reset provides the right opportunity to begin a new chapter alongside a manufacturer also starting its Formula E journey.
“I’m proud to be an Opel works driver and to be part of this new chapter in Formula E. It’s brilliant that we can finally make this move official. After ten years with one manufacturer, it was time for me to take on a fresh challenge. With the move to the GEN4 generation, the perfect moment has come to start something new. I could tell straight away just how much energy and passion Opel is putting into the Formula E project. The team isn’t entering the series just to take part: Opel is here to win, and that’s exactly what I’m aiming for too.”
Evans’ experience could prove particularly valuable as Opel continues to develop its first Formula E package. Having competed through several generations of Formula E machinery and fought regularly for victories and championships, he will bring extensive knowledge of the series to a team entering it for the first time.
Formula E title remains Evans’ ultimate target
Despite changing teams, Evans has no intention of lowering his ambitions. The Drivers’ World Championship remains the major achievement missing from his career. Evans has repeatedly established himself as a title contender over the past decade but has yet to secure the crown. Rather than viewing Opel’s status as a newcomer as a reason to temper expectations, Evans sees the challenge of building a competitive team during the start of a new technical era as part of the attraction.
“The World Championship title remains, quite clearly, my main goal; in that respect, I still have unfinished business in Formula E. That is precisely why the move to Opel feels like the right new challenge for me. Starting a new generation of Formula E with a new team and achieving success straight away is by no means a given, but that is exactly what appeals to me. I want to bring my ten years’ experience in Formula E to bear and, together with Opel and Théo, play a strong role in the World Championship.”
