Paul Jeffrey
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Former Sauber and Haas F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez has signed to race the all electric Formula E Series it has been announced in Mexico, starting with selected rounds this season as a precursor to a full championship assault next year.
With the affable Mexican finding himself without a drive in Formula One following his exit from the Haas F1 team, it appears that the lure of the fully electric Formula E Series has become too much of a temptation to resist. Although the initial deal appears to be for a select number of rounds in the current campaign, Gutierrez will no doubt be casting his eye towards his home event in Mexico on April 1st. It is expected the driver will embark upon a testing programme prior to his homecoming race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, with an at least one more appearance scheduled in New York before the season draws to a close at Montreal in July.
"I'll do the Mexico race, and probably others in preparation for the 2018 season," said Gutierrez.
"It's an exciting future for my career. I feel very proud of being a part of this new tendency of electric cars."
Gutierrez joins a long list of former Grand Prix drivers to appear in the fairly new series, with no less than seven other ex-F1 drivers due to take to the track alongside the 25-year-old Mexican racer, including reigning champion and former Toro Rosso driver Sebastien Buemi
The deal to contest part of the 2017/18 season has been arranged to get Gutierrez comfortable in his new environment following his switch from Formula One, prior to an expected full time drive in the series next year. No team has yet confirmed the driver for one of its cars.
The full press release from Formula E can be read below:
"Esteban Gutierrez will join the FIA Formula E Championship and make the transition to the all-electric racing series for a number of select events for the remainder of the season, including the Mexico City ePrix on April 1.
The 25-year-old Mexican star - who has previously raced in Formula 1 and GP2 - will get behind the wheel of a fully-electric car in front of his home fans for the second running of the Mexico City ePrix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and the inaugural New York City ePrix in July.
The 25-year-old Mexican star - who has previously raced in Formula 1 and GP2 - will get behind the wheel of a fully-electric car in front of his home fans for the second running of the Mexico City ePrix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and the inaugural New York City ePrix in July.
Gutierrez joins the series as an official ambassador and is in advanced discussions with a number of teams, currently analysing potential options with a view to secure a full entry for the 2017/18 season"
Check the Formula E sub forum here at RaceDepartment for more news and community discussion regarding this growing open wheel championship. With a field of exceptionally talented drivers, twisting city centre locations and unique electric racing vehicles, Formula E is making quite an impression and looks to be here to stay.
Are you sad to see Gutierrez leave Formula One? Do you think he will be successful in Formula E? Is the move good news for the series? Let us know in the comments section below!
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