Motorsport: Teen sensation has right formula

Schoolboy Mitch Evans juggles study with a fledgling career in single-seater racing. Photo / Doug Sherring

Mark Webber has no doubts Mitch Evans could be the next Australasian to blaze a trail to the pinnacle of world motorsport.

"He can go all the way, definitely, he can race Formula One," says Webber.

"It is a question of making the right calls along the way. I'm very, very interested in making some decisions for him and helping him to give him the best chance possible.

"Mitch has a sensational opportunity but there will be lots of hard work and dedication and some big hurdles.

"There is no smooth track for any youngster coming from our part of the world but that is what makes it more rewarding."

Aside from his driving talent, Webber says there are elements of Evans' personality that will serve him well.

"That maturity and bigger picture focus he has got, whether it is on or off the track, will stand him in good stead. He absorbs things well, has applied himself to conditioning and has good discipline at a young age." Webber also likes the fact Evans has a "little bit of mongrel about him".

"I'm not big on people making excuses and at [his] age it is very easy to have that avenue for why you won't do things. Mitch has a crack, backs himself and gets into it - that was evident with some of the things we did when he was over here [in July].

"There were certainly a lot of things I wouldn't have been able to do at that age. That doesn't mean automatic success later on but it [indicates] good mental make-up."

It is obvious that Webber, who has notched up 153 races in Formula One, sees something of himself in the young Kiwi.

"He has got that same desire and the fire to make it over here. Time will tell how deep that fire goes because we can't drive the car for him. It is up to him and he knows that."

Apart from their Australasian bond, Evans has clearly impressed Webber, who chooses not to mentor any other young drivers and spends more time with Evans than any of the MW Arden stable - the GP3 team he runs with Red Bull racing supremo Christian Horner.

"We get bombarded with so many requests but, at the moment, it is very difficult for me to have too many plates spinning.

"Mitch is young enough that, when he will be coming to the juicy part of his career, I certainly won't be on the grid, so it will be easier to handle.

"He is going to learn a lot about himself - there is going to be some weaknesses that need to be filled in and that is inevitable. He will find out what they are when he races at a higher level."