With less than a week to go until the 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E Championship kicks off in Saudi Arabia, new entrants Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E team has signed former Formula One driver Esteban Gutierrez.
Esteban made his first outing at the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01 during testing in Majorca in early August, shortly before Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries were announced as the team's drivers. Before this, he contested in three races during the 2016/17 season with Techeetah, managing a best finish of eighth.
“I’m very much looking forward to continuing my journey with the Mercedes family by joining Formula E as a Reserve and Development Driver,” said the Mexican driver.
“I would like to thank the team for giving me the chance to join them as they embark on this new and exciting chapter.”
Over the course of the season, the 28 year-old will assist the team’s two drivers, Vandoorne and Vries, as well as Reserve and Development Driver, Gary Paffett, to develop the new car further.
“We will face a lot of challenges in our first season in Formula E, so I’m really pleased we’ve been able to acquire the services of Esteban, another experienced driver,” said Team Principal, Ian James.
“He did an excellent job during testing in Majorca, fitting in perfectly with the team. He has a lot of experience to offer from racing in a number of different series – Formula 1, Formula E and Indycar – and has also gained a lot of know-how in the simulator about how to develop and setup a car.
"We are certain that he will be of enormous help with the tasks we face in our debut season in his joint role as Reserve and Development Driver with Gary.”