Mitch Evans is stepping up his pursuit of a full-time switch to sportcars after admitting this season is likely to be his last in GP2.
The 21-year-old Kiwi has competed in GP2 since 2013, but without the backing to even secure a test in a Formula 1 car, has switched his focus to securing a factory LMP1 drive.
Evans, who has demonstrated his ability by recording two wins and nine podium finishes in GP2, already has sportscar experience, driving for LMP2 squad Jota Sport at Spa and the Le Mans 24 Hours this year.
“I’d love to get a role in an LMP1 for a number of reasons really,” Evans told Speedcafe.com.
“There are a number of drivers who have the same abilities as me and CV and all the credentials but won’t get the opportunity (in F1).
“It sucks because 10 years ago I would definitely be in F1 at the moment it is just the way it is.
“It is hard to swallow.
“Hopefully I can go on and do something else and at the moment the LMP1 stuff is massively stimulating for the driver.
“It is so positive around sportscars at the moment that it is creating a lot of attention and hopefully a couple more manufacturers join over the next few years.
“I need to start my career properly if I can stay in single seaters then that would be great but at some stage I need to earn a decent living. I would say this will probably be my last year in GP2.”
Evans says his impressive LMP2 class podium on his Le Mans debut will help create opportunities in the World Endurance Championship paddock, but the Auckland ace is wary that securing an LMP1 drive is not an easy process.
“Doing Le Mans has created quite bit of attention and fortunately I was in a good team and able to extract a lot from it,” he said.
“My stints were pretty good so that is attractive for LMP1 teams hopefully those talks can go further and evolve into tests and then an actual seat. I hope I can get myself onto a seat and do something good.
“LMP2 is definitely an option as well, which wouldn’t be a disaster because they (Jota Sport) are a great team.”
Evans attended the weekend’s V8 Supercars event at Queensland Raceway in support of his brother Simon, who competes in the Dunlop Series.
While Mitch continues to attract strong interest from V8 Supercars teams, the Australian Formula 3 graduate says he’s keen to remain in Europe for now.
“Not really at the moment, it it too early for me,” he said of V8 Supercars.
“Maybe one day for sure at the moment my focus is in Europe.
“I haven’t really been pushing for anything down here I want to give Europe a shot while I have an opportunity.”
Evans tested with Kelly Racing at the end of 2009, before the then 15-year-old declined the offer of a full-time V8 Supercars drive in order to concentrate on his international ambitions.
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