Inaugural ABB FIA Formula E Championship title winner to leave Panasonic Jaguar Racing squad after four and a half seasons of all-electric street racing with immediate effect. Former Virgin driver Alex Lynn set to take his place.
After four and a half seasons racing in Formula E, Brazilian-born Nelson Piquet Jr. will part ways with the Jaguar Racing squad to pursue other interests. Since he started in his fifth season in December last year, Piquet Jr. has scored just a single point, which he claimed for a tenth place finish in Saudi Arabia.
"I have enjoyed working with Panasonic Jaguar Racing over the past season and a half but results in season five have not met the collective expectations of myself and the team," said Piquet Jr.
Joining Jaguar at the start of the 2017/18 season, Piquet Jr, finished the season just inside the top ten in ninth - two places behind teammate Mitch Evans.
"We made a big step forward when Nelson joined us in season 4," said Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Principal James Barclay.
"He achieved some strong results for the team, but recent results have not met his or the team’s expectations.
"We want to take this opportunity to thank Nelson for all the hard work he has put in since joining us ahead of season 4; he has contributed a significant amount into the development of the car," added the team boss.
Stepping up to the British team in Piquet's place will be ex-Virgin Racing Formula E driver and fellow Brit Alex Lynn. Since leaving Virgin at the end of the 2017/18 season, Lynn returns to the all-electric series to partner Mitch Evans from the 2019 Rome E-Prix onwards.
"I am really excited to get behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 in Rome. Joining Panasonic Jaguar Racing is a great opportunity for me," said Lynn.
"I am focused on working with Mitch, the engineers and technicians to put in a strong performance from now until the end of the season.”
Finishing his debut season in Formula E 16th overall, Lynn will be pushing for podiums alongside Jaguar's maiden win in the series.
"Our objective this season is to be competing for podiums, we have agreed that Alex will join the team from the next event in Rome," said Barclay.
"With half the season remaining we will be pushing very hard for strong results. I would like to welcome Alex to the Panasonic Jaguar Racing and look forward to working with him.”