7 Sep 2015

Evans third at Monza

8:47 am on 7 September 2015

New Zealand GP2 driver Mitch Evans has finished third in the feature race at Monza after starting from the back of the grid.

Mitch Evans at Monza, 2015.

Mitch Evans at Monza, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Russian Time driver qualified second for the race but was penalised after it was discovered his tyre pressure was below the minimum requirement.

Evans described the 21-place grid penalty as "a huge kick in the guts."

"It was nothing intentional and a complete accident - so it was good to come back and really show what speed we've got now, which is great. It's so good to have the car back to performing well."

The 21-year-old also stood on the podium last week at Spa after placing third in the sprint race at the Belgium Grand Prix following his fifth placing in the feature.

Jordan King, Alexander Rossi and Mitch Evans stand on the podium at Spa, 2015.

Jordan King, Alexander Rossi and Mitch Evans stand on the podium at Spa, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Auckland driver was fourth overall in the series in 2014 but has a had a disappointing season under the team's new owners.

His only other podium this year was at the second meet of the year in Barcelona when he placed second in the sprint.

Now sixth in the drivers standings, Evans will start Sunday's sprint race at the Italian Grand Prix in sixth on the grid, one place behind his compatriot Richie Stanaway.

Stanaway has only managed one podium in his first season of GP2 when he won the sprint race in Monte Carlo.

The GP2 and GP3 series form the undercard of Formula One grand prix weekends.