Evans: New Formula E quali format will increase challenge of winning

Evans finished fourth in last year's title race, nine points behind eventual champion Nyck de Vries, as a problem at the start-line of the season finale and subsequent crash with fellow title hopeful Edoardo Mortara ended both drivers' chances of overhauling de Vries in the points.

Following Formula E's changes to the qualifying system, where the unpopular group stage/superpole format makes way for a knockout system, Evans feels that Jaguar should be able to mount a stronger challenge for the title this season.

He also added that, just as the new system should play into Jaguar's hands more, it may also thrust his rivals into play more often - and accepts wins against a more front-loaded field could be more challenging to come by.

"I think you're going to see a lot of guys on the front more consistently," Evans told Autosport, echoing comments from his fellow racers and team boss James Barclay.

"So I think race wins will be more difficult; instead of some of the other races where it's been a few really quick guys in the front, and some guys from group four and three mixing it up, you're going to have more quick guys racing out of the front.

"Obviously we want to see that, [but it] makes it harder to turn that into wins.

"But for sure, if you look back at our stats and qualifying historically, it should only benefit us - ideally, hopefully benefit us to have a really good crack at the championship.

"That's our clear target, my clear target - and I'd come close in a compromised system."

Evans' team-mate Sam Bird extended his contract with Jaguar, signing a multi-year deal over the off-season to ensure that the duo would remain together into the long term.

Since Jaguar entered Formula E for its third season Evans has been an