Motorsport: Watch out for the winner in red undies

Mitch Evans wants to be F1 champion, but first, he says, he has lots to learn. Photo / GP3 Media Service

Teenage motor racer Mitch Evans is our brightest new sports star.

He was catapulted into the headlines by a GP3 victory in Spain last weekend, but racing aficionados already knew that young Evans might be the most precocious talent in world motor racing.

Spain confirmed the promise.

The 16-year-old became the youngest winner of a race in the GP3, a newish series using standardised cars which is run as a curtainraiser to Formula One.

That raised the inevitable question: is Mitch Evans on the way to the F1 kingdom? It looks like a case of when rather than if - a fascinating and exciting prospect for New Zealand sport.

Evans, who was brought up in Mt Roskill, has racing in the blood. His grandfather Laurie was a rally driver, father Owen still holds the New Zealand land speed record, and older brother Simon also races cars.

Motor racing has been well aware of Evans' potential. Last year he turned down an offer to join the Ferrari F1 junior drivers' team.

Owen Evans says Mitch - who is now based in England - has a rare gift for racing cars, and hints that new F1 moves involving his son are afoot.

For now, the young Evans is biding his time and learning the ropes in team MW Arden, whose bosses include the Aussie F1 star Mark Webber.

His victory at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona had a disastrous backdrop. The night before qualifying, his mother Tracee's handbag containing passports and $16,000 in pounds and euros was stolen as they ate in their hotel's restaurant.

The Weekend Herald caught up with Mitch and his mother as they travelled by train to Madrid to sort out their lost passport and visa problems.

Congratulations, Mitch ... did you think a victory on just your second GP3 weekend was possible?
This needs to be a learning year for me but for this to happen so quickly, to be standing on top of the podium - it certainly made up for mum having her handbag stolen. It has got a lot of attention and I'm very grateful for the response from back home, which has given me a lot of confidence. I won't let this distract me ... I can think about winning the series but this year is mainly about learning for me.

How have you found the European circuits?
Compared to New Zealand they are a lot wider and faster and the level of competition is huge. I've worked hard on my fitness and you really feel the G forces. You need a strong core and neck. And there is no power steering in these cars so the arms need to be strong. I do a lot of cycling and swimming to build up the cardiovascular. I do strength work, but you don't want to get too big because that affects the ballast. Lighter is definitely better.

Did you have a sporting hero as a kid?
Michael Schumacher was my hero, although he might have taken the competitive business a bit far at times. Still, you have to admire his determination. I was also a big fan of Lewis Hamilton, probably because his career has been similar to mine. And I have always followed Mark Webber because he was the F1 driver closest to home.

What's the best advice you've received?
Mark Webber told me that you can never ask a stupid question ... this is a whole new experience and there is so much to learn.

Career aim ... as if we don't know?
To be the F1 world champion. Anything is possible and what happened on the weekend was a step along the way, hopefully.

Your dad says you have a gift ...
I don't really like talking about myself like that. There has been a lot of hard work involved but I guess you also have to have some sort of ability to make it to Europe. I always seem to adapt really quickly to any new car that I drive. I get the feel for how a car reacts and how to make them move.

What are the street cars you would like to get a feel for?
The Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Mark Webber has one - they are unbelievable, a great everyday car. The Audi R8 would also be at the top of my list.

What car do you have a feel for now?
I drive a beat-up VW Golf. Some people say it's a bit of a girl's car but I don't think so.

What are the biggest hurdles you face in fulfilling your dreams?
I guess they are financial. I have had great support from people like the Giltraps and BankLink, but the recession has made it tougher.

Is there one thing you would like to change in motor racing?
I would like F1 to be more even. There are strong teams and weak ones at the moment. It would be better if the championship relied more heavily on the skill of the drivers rather than the quality of the cars.

Hobbies?
I don't really have time for anything outside of motor racing. When I'm not racing I'm training. But that has led me into mountain biking. I really enjoy cycling and mountain biking and it has become a hobby of mine.

Did you ever play other sports?
When I was young I loved playing rugby league and Stacey Jones is a second cousin of mine, on my mother's side. I played for Glenora Bears and was the Auckland under-9 player of the year and made a few rep teams. I tried rugby union at St Kentigern College but didn't really like it so much.

Do you have any superstitions?
I'm very superstitious. I have lots of them, but I never tell what they are.

Is that another superstition ... can we twist your arm?
Ahhhhh ... I always wear the same undies on race days. I have a different pair for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are all red ...but I've already told you too much.