Formula E: Piquet extends China Racing deal

Formula E championship leader Nelson Piquet Jr. has extended his deal with the Campos-run China Racing squad. The ex-Formula 1 racer has signed a new multi-season deal that will see him continue with the team into the second season of Formula E in 2015-'16 and beyond.

Following victories at Long Beach and Moscow, Piquet takes a 17-point lead over fellow Brazilian Lucas di Grassi into the double-header season finale in London later this month. His participation in the inaugural Formula E campaign marked a return to open-wheelers for the first time since leaving F1 in 2009, spending the intervening period in the United States sampling NASCAR and Rallycross.

"I am very happy to confirm that I will be racing with China Racing in Formula E for the foreseeable future," said Piquet, who made his Indy Lights debut last weekend in Toronto. "We have had some amazing results together this season and as we build our experience together we are looking to grow as a force in this championship and be consistent championship contenders."

China Racing team principal Steven Lu added: "When I saw the smiles from my engineers after the pre-season tests in Donington, I believed Nelson would bring maximum efforts to be the winner of Formula E's inaugural season. Nelson will also be the key to the success of our future powertrain development."

Piquet joins Abt Sportsline drivers di Grassi and Daniel Abt in being confirmed to continue in Formula E next season, which will start in Beijing in October.

Originally on Autosport.com