Formula e Supercharged

Formula E’s Mitch Evans: Ice driving is ‘such a surreal feeling’

By Matthew Knight and Stefanie Blendis, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 9:37 AM EST, Thu March 2, 2017
Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans traveled more than 10,000 miles from his home in New Zealand to northern Sweden.
Jaguar Racing driver Mitch Evans traveled more than 10,000 miles from his home in New Zealand to northern Sweden.
CNN
Evans was hoping his two-day visit to Jaguar's Ice Academy was going to be fun but also instructive. "Traditionally, I'm used to driving the car as straight as possible so it's going to be great to see if it helps me on track -- especially in those wet, tricky low-grip surfaces and conditions," Evans told CNN.
Evans was hoping his two-day visit to Jaguar's Ice Academy was going to be fun but also instructive. "Traditionally, I'm used to driving the car as straight as possible so it's going to be great to see if it helps me on track -- especially in those wet, tricky low-grip surfaces and conditions," Evans told CNN.
CNN
Ian Kitching, a lead instructor for Jaguar Land Rover Experience, gives Evans some tips on how to perfect the "Scandinavian flick."
Ian Kitching, a lead instructor for Jaguar Land Rover Experience, gives Evans some tips on how to perfect the "Scandinavian flick."
CNN
When done correctly, the maneuver allows a driver to exit a tight corner at full throttle. It is achieved by pointing the car away from the corner and then "flicking" the car into the apex before accelerating around the bend.
When done correctly, the maneuver allows a driver to exit a tight corner at full throttle. It is achieved by pointing the car away from the corner and then "flicking" the car into the apex before accelerating around the bend.
CNN
Evans was on more familiar terrain at <a href="http://cnn.com/2017/02/18/motorsport/buemi-buenos-aires-hat-trick-of-wins/index.html" target="_blank">February's Buenos Aires ePrix</a>, where he finished 13th -- his best result to date in the 2016-17 Formula E World Championship.
Evans was on more familiar terrain at February's Buenos Aires ePrix, where he finished 13th -- his best result to date in the 2016-17 Formula E World Championship.
Handout/Getty Images South America/Formula E via Getty Images
"Forget Formula E and think rally!" was Kitching's advice to Evans. The Kiwi, in his debut season driving in the electric car series, soon got the hang of it.
"Forget Formula E and think rally!" was Kitching's advice to Evans. The Kiwi, in his debut season driving in the electric car series, soon got the hang of it.
CNN
"It's so unnatural for me to go sideways -- I'm usually so conscious of trying to go straight. I love it!" Evans said.
"It's so unnatural for me to go sideways -- I'm usually so conscious of trying to go straight. I love it!" Evans said.
CNN
"To finally get onto the frozen lake was just amazing," Evans added.
"To finally get onto the frozen lake was just amazing," Evans added.
CNN
The winter sun sets early in Sweden, but former GP2 Series competitor Evans is far from the twilight of his fledgling motorsport career.
The winter sun sets early in Sweden, but former GP2 Series competitor Evans is far from the twilight of his fledgling motorsport career.
CNN
Formula E driver Mitch Evans goes ice driving in Sweden

Editor’s Note:

Story highlights

Formula E newcomer tries ice driving

Mitch Evans competes for Jaguar Racing

New Zealander learns new skills

CNN  — 

Take a vast frozen lake, a Formula E driver, a Jaguar F-Type and what do you get?

In Mitch Evans’ case, the answer was lots and lots of fun.

The Jaguar Racing star was somewhat overwhelmed after going “ice skating” on four wheels near Arjeplog in Swedish Lapland.

“I can’t describe it. I can’t put it into words. It’s so unnatural for me to go sideways – I’m usually so focused on trying to go straight. I love it!” he told CNN’s Supercharged show, before heading off at full throttle to do some more laps.

Evans was visiting Jaguar Land Rover’s Ice Academy for the first time, making the 10,000-mile trip from his home in New Zealand.

“I’ve come from the Kiwi summer – long days, a lot of light, sunshine, warm climate – to northern Sweden in the Arctic Circle … and it’s freezing.”

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Formula E driver Mitch Evans goes ice driving in Sweden
04:31 - Source: CNN

Like his team Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Evans is a newcomer to Formula E this season following four years driving in the GP2 Series.

So far, it’s been a steep learning curve for the historic British racing marque. Evans had to retire from the opening race of the 2016-17 World Championship in Hong Kong before placing 17th out of 20 starters in Marrakesh last November.

His more experienced teammate, Northern Irishman Adam Carroll, was 12th and 14th.

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HONG KONG - OCTOBER 09: In this handout photo provided by Jaguar Racing, Adam Carroll of Great Britain driving the (47) Panasonic Jaguar Racing car during the Hong Kong ePrix, first round of the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Series on October 9, 2016 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic/Jaguar Racing via Getty Images)
HONG KONG - OCTOBER 09: In this handout photo provided by Jaguar Racing, Adam Carroll of Great Britain driving the (47) Panasonic Jaguar Racing car during the Hong Kong ePrix, first round of the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Series on October 9, 2016 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Andrew Ferraro/LAT Photographic/Jaguar Racing via Getty Images)
Handout/Getty Images AsiaPac/Jaguar Racing via Getty Images
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The three-month winter break has done the team some good, it seems. At February’s Buenos Aires ePrix, Evans came home a respectable 13th – four places ahead of 34-year-old Carroll. The next goal will be to score points with a top-10 finish in round four at the Mexico ePrix on April 1.

Evans even thinks the ice driving could make him a better competitor on the asphalt.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this – on ice and snow – to benefit me on track,” he says. “I hope it translates when we get back for our real racing.”

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“To finally get onto the frozen lake was just amazing, just to see what the car can do with the four-wheel drive we had … the car just gliding across the surface – it’s such a surreal feeling.”