Gutierrez joins Techeetah for Formula E

Esteban Gutierrez is set to join the Chinese-owned Techeetah team for the balance of the Formula E season. The former Haas F1 driver had announced in January that he would debut in the all-electric series for his home round in Mexico City on April 1. He now will team with Jean-Eric Vergne on the team for the remaining nine races on the current calendar and the entirety of Season Four.

"I'm very grateful to join Techeetah, a team with real competitiveness," said Gutierrez. "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 Mexico City ePrix. Hopefully I can put on a good show for the passionate home fans. Knowing the circuit and the environment a little bit for my first race is quite good. Then for the other races we will go from a permanent circuit to a more street circuit style, which is pretty different to what I will have experienced in Mexico. It’s going to be a nice combination and I’m sure I will enjoy it."

Gutierrez admitted he has a lot of preparation work to do to adapt to the specific skills required for Formula E.

"I think that the biggest challenge will be the battery management, to adapt to the car that’s a completely different concept – full electric – so that’s where I need to put a lot of focus in order to adapt as quick as possible," he said.

Gutierrez will replace Ma Qing Hua in Techeetah's No. 33 entry but Ma will remain with the team as its third driver.