By Shaun Summerfield
Eighteen-year-old Kiwi Mitch Evans is already planning a step up to the Formula One feeder class GP2 after winning the GP3 World Championship overnight, but the title win was a four-wheeled soap opera.
“My dream to win a European championship has come true, I can’t believe it mate,” says Evans.
A miserable race one left Evans starting dead last, in 25th place, and his title hopes hung by a thread.
With title rivals out front Evans had to finish in the points to win the series and nothing was going to get in his way.
Climbing an incredible 18 places - and setting the fastest lap - Evans thought he done enough to secure the title, but it was never going to be that easy.
A touch from another car blew his tyre and his championship hopes, but then on the second-to-last lap Tio Ellinas took the lead, which made Evans champion.
Evans’ manager Mark Webber had a less memorable day behind the wheel, in from a dramatic Italian Grand Prix which saw Sergio Perez pursue Lewis Hamilton home.
New Zealand's boy champion sprinted straight for mum and dad after finishing, then Sir Colin Giltrap - whose backing was crucial to the success, and will remain so, as Evans looks to moves up to GP2 - one class below Formula One.
But that is tomorrow’s job - right now all the teen wants to do is party.
3 News