Mat Coch writes:

Mark Webber has announced plans to mentor young New Zealander Mitch Evans as he works his way towards competing in Formula 1. By using his own experience Webber hopes to make the transition to Europe a little easier for the 15-year-old.

"I met Mitch for the first time at last year's Australian Grand Prix and was amazed at how switched on he was at the age of just fourteen," said Webber. "When I was that age I was only karting and was barely thinking about Formula One - it shows how much things have changed over the years."

Evans is currently leading the Australian Formula 3 championship after a clean sweep in the opening round. The New Zealander graduated from Australian Formula Ford, where he became the youngest ever race winner at just fourteen, a feat he repeated on his debut in Formula 3.

The next steps however are crucial, says Webber, who will be taking an active part in Evan's career progression.

"It's really important that he chooses his next steps carefully," said the Red Bull driver. "I'm looking forward to playing my part and using my own personal experiences and contacts to make the move as seamless as possible, and helping his development on and off the track.

Having left Australia to pursue his own racing career in 1996 at the age of 19, Webber understands better than most the difficulties of racing in Europe. Originally from Queanbeyan, near Canberra, Webber raced Formula Ford, Formula 3, Formula 3000 and Le Mans before gaining his place on the F1 grid with Minardi in 2002.

"Although Mitch will concentrate his efforts on Australian F3 this season, we will be taking him across to Europe during the year so he can begin to see the bigger picture stuff and weigh up his options for next year when he'll be competing there," he added.

The Australian has also recently announced the formation of his own GP3 team, MW Arden, in collaboration with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, though he wouldn't say if this would be Evans next step. "We will choose whatever category we believe is the best category for him," he said.

The last New Zealander to race in Formula One was Mike Thackwell, back in 1984, a decade before Evans was born.