TECHEETAH Formula E team has officially announced that Esteban Gutierrez will partner Jean-Eric Vergne at the Chinese team for the remainder of 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship, including the Julius Baer Mexico City ePrix. Gutierrez will replace Ma Qing Hua in car number 33 but Ma will remain with the team as the third driver.
Speaking ahead of his Formula E debut at his home race, Esteban Gutierrez said:
“I’m very grateful to join TECHEETAH, a team with real competitiveness. After four years of an incredible experience in F1, I’m now taking a step forward into the future of motorsports. I am especially excited about my debut race at the Julius Baer Mexico City ePrix. Hopefully I can put on a good show for the passionate home fans.”
Thanks man! Looking forward to start working together! https://t.co/wrmXJwbMmF
— Esteban Gutierrez (@EstebanGtz) 20 March 2017
Thanks! See you at the track! https://t.co/SubnVBc5LR
— Esteban Gutierrez (@EstebanGtz) 20 March 2017
Ivan Yim, Managing Director of TECHEETAH Formula E Team said:
“We will have Esteban as prepared as possible for his home race. With the passionate Mexican fans awaiting us in the stadium section, the TECHEETAH team is highly motivated with its new driver line-up. Jean-Eric Vergne has proven with his pace to be a real contender this season. This is a challenging series for drivers with its compressed one-day format, but with stability in the team, we’re ready to take this next step to further build the TECHEETAH team in its first season.”
#TBT to @techeetahfe’s first ever podium finish in Buenos Aires! Aiming to do even better in Mexico ???? @FIAformulaE #FormulaE #JEV25 pic.twitter.com/9olPnSp5nS
— Jean-Eric Vergne (@JeanEricVergne) 16 March 2017
Esteban Gutierrez announced he’s joining Formula E at the beginning of January. The 25-year-old Mexican driver previously raced in Formula 1 and GP2. Gutierrez also joined the series as an official ambassador.
“I’ve known Esteban since very early on in his career. He’s a great driver. I’ve seen him in GP3, GP2 and Formula 1 obviously. He is a great addition to the championship. I think this could be the start of a very long and successful career in Formula E”, commented then the Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag.
