Formula E quickly becoming what Formula 1 used to be - Mitch Evans

Formula E, Mitch Evans
'The next-generation Formula R car looks mega' - Mitch Evans. Photo credit: Supplied

Formula E has long been touted as the future of motor racing and while it's taken a while to gain traction, that prediction might not be far away.

Formula E is set to unveil their next-generation car at the beginning of March, an upgrade on the current model that is hoped to see the category speed into the future even more.

A longer battery life, upgraded software, slick new design and (maybe most importantly) faster speeds are all new features that could make racing more exciting for both fans and drivers.

"The next-generation Formula E car looks mega," said Mitch Evans, New Zealand's only Formula E driver.

Currently in its fifth season, the changes to the Formula E car will only help grow a class that already has much going for it.

Formula E is free from the politics and financial pledges many other categories are plagued with, and Evans believes that's what makes the electric-powered championship a fairer reflection on driver ability.

"I think drivers are already seeing Formula E as a realistic goal for where they want to end up," said the Team Panasonic Jaguar Racing driver.

"If you're talented driving karts or junior formula, and you don't have that massive funding, it's not going to be overly realistic for a driver, which is not the way it should be."

Formula 1 has become predictable in recent years, with racing influenced more by the budgets of each team than driver talent.

It's a problem Formula E has solved, selecting drivers the way Formula 1 used to.

"Obviously, every driver gets there [Formula E] on merit, which is very important," said Evans.

"Formula E is an industry and a championship now, where the manufacturers are choosing drivers they think are right for them and are going to be the best fit for them.

"So I think you'll see a lot of drivers turn to Formula E, rather than Formula 1."

Mitch Evans in Santiago, Chile during the second round of the Championship.
Mitch Evans in Santiago, Chile during the second round of the Championship. Photo credit: Getty

But in order for Formula E to usurp what has been seen as the pinnacle of motorsport for decades, plenty still needs to happen.

The recognition from the public will be one (and may take the longest to achieve), but Formula E is doing everything in its control to help progress the category and the next-generation car is an example of that.

 "It's something the championship needs to do, because this new technology we're seeing is very futuristic.

"It's what we're going to be seeing in the future."

Evans also believes the new race cars are not just helping motorsport move forward either.

"Most of the technology we're learning on track is going back into the road car and vice versa, and both automotive industry and the motorsport industry are developing at the same rate.

"I think that's what F1 used to be with the manufacturers - using motorsport as a test pad - but that's what Formula E is doing now."

After four races this season, Evans is currently in seventh in the Formula E standings.

His best finish came in the second race at Hong Kong, where he finished fourth, but a disqualification of Daniel Abt saw him promoted to third.

"I wanna get some more podiums - that'd be amazing - and I think we're in a position to do that."

He will next race in Mexico City on March 4.

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