German endurance racing star Andre Lotterer will join the TECHEETAH Formula E Team in season four and make his competitive Formula E debut in Hong Kong on December 2 & 3, for the start of the 2017/18 FIA Formula E Championship.
Lotterer joins Formula E veteran Jean-Eric Vergne at the Chinese-owned team, as he gears up for his third season of Formula E.
The current Porsche factory driver is best known for his three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The German driver is also a two-time Super GT champion and won the Formula Nippon title in 2011.
Lotterer is the second Porsche factory driver to make the switch to Formula E ahead of the 2017/18 FIA Formula E Championship, with Neel Jani joining Dragon Racing.
Lotterer, said: “I’m honoured and proud to join TECHEETAH to make my Formula E debut. Formula E has been the most exciting motor racing series in recent years. TECHEETAH made a very big impression last season beating a number of manufacturer teams, and I’m looking forward to working with Jean-Eric Vergne and everyone in TECHEETAH to start this new chapter in my racing career.”
Ivan Yim, Managing Director, TECHEETAH Formula E Team, said: “Jean-Eric Vergne and Andre Lotterer will form one of the strongest driver line-ups in Formula E. I’m sure our two drivers will push each other to new levels of performance. Andre’s track record and experience with some of motorsport’s most significant factory teams brings immense value as we push our own development in both the medium and long-term.
“With only three test days available to us as a private team, we’ll be looking to Andre to adapt quickly to the format and car. The intent is clear; we’re putting a quick driver together with the team’s proven Renault Sport powertrain. With the all-new season five car on the horizon, we’re confident that season four will assist Andre in being well-prepared along with Jean-Eric to mount a solid challenge for the championship.
“TECHEETAH scored the most points of any team in the last four races in season three. We hope to continue this upward trajectory in the coming season with Andre and Jean-Eric. That’s the plan. Finally, on behalf of the whole team, I want to thank Stephane Sarrazin for his outstanding performance last season. It was difficult for him to join the team in the middle of the season, but he adapted very quickly and achieved two podiums and one front-row start. We wish him luck with his future endeavours.”
