Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’s longevity will pave the way for racing drivers competing into their forties ‘becoming more common’.

That is the view of Formula E championship contender Mitch Evans, whose own title hopes reach crunch time this weekend.

The Jaguar TCS Racing driver is still a decade away from hitting the same age as the two Formula 1 world champions – having celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this week.

However, speaking to talkSPORT, Evans admitted the milestone has already given him a different perspective on his career.

He said: “It was the first birthday I’ve not really looked forward to.

“I don’t know if it’s because I’m an athlete or not, but it feels like I’m in that next phase of my life.

“It’s one of those decades where whether you’re a racing driver or a football player or whatever, you start to look to retirement. I don’t feel like I’m anywhere near that, but it starts to come into your mind a little bit!”

The New Zealand ace agreed that former McLaren teammates Hamilton and Alonso have already proven that age is becoming less important for elite sportspeople – assuming you can ‘keep healthy, fit and sharp’.

Aston Martin’s Alonso turns 43 next month, while Ferrari-bound Sir Lewis will celebrate his 40th in January, ahead of his debut season with The Prancing Horse.

While the elder statesmen of F1 boast nine world titles between them, Evans is still in the hunt for his first global crown – after coming painfully close to the all-electric championship summit in recent years.

He finished second to Alonso’s former McLaren teammate Stoffel Vandoorne in 2022, and third behind eventual winner Jake Dennis in 2023.

Evans currently sits third in the table, 35 points off the lead with four races remaining and suggested he’s prepared himself for another painful end to the campaign.

He told talkSPORT: “Over the course of the last few seasons I’ve been used to the disappointment of missing out on the title, so I’m kind of protecting myself a bit for that in case it does happen.

“I feel right now I can go either way. I won’t be surprised if I’m not champion, but I feel like I’ve still got a good shot.”

An added consideration for Evans sees his teammate and longtime friend Nick Cassidy as the championship leader heading into this weekend’s double-header in Portland, Oregon.

The pair grew up karting together in New Zealand and, after competing all over the world, became teammates once again this season following Cassidy’s move from Jaguar’s customer team, Envision.

On the prospect of trampling over his teammate’s hopes to finally get his own hands on the trophy, Evans told talkSPORT’s motorsports show ‘On Track’: “If I had to choose, I’d rather take the dream away from someone else.

“I know how much this would mean to Nick – I think if either one of us can come out on top, we’ll be happy for each other.”

The teammates will have to put their friendship aside as Formula E returns to the Portland International Raceway for the penultimate rounds of the season, this weekend.