Lynn replaces Lopez at DS Virgin

Alex Lynn, who took pole position in New York (pictured) in his Formula E debut back in June for DS Virgin Racing, will race for the full season with the team alongside fellow Briton Sam Bird in the upcoming 2017-'18 season for DS Virgin Racing. He replaces Jose-Maria Lopez on the squad.

The 23-year-old Lynn was appointed the team's official reserve driver earlier this year but, having now signed a multi-year deal with the team, he will step up to a full-time race seat when the all-electric single-seater championship gets underway on Dec. 2 on the streets of Hong Kong.

"I am over the moon at being promoted to a full-time drive with the DS Virgin Racing Formula E team," said Lynn (pictured). "Having worked very closely with them since January this year, it has been a genuine pleasure to learn from such a fantastic group of high quality engineers and to integrate myself into their setup. Indeed, I have been made to feel very welcome throughout their organization and I would specifically like to thank [team principal] Alex Tai for not only giving me the chance to make my series debut in New York, but for subsequently promoting me to this full-time race seat. I am currently enjoying helping the team to further develop the car and intend to fully repay everyone's faith in me on track next season."

Lynn was the 2011 Formula Renault UK champion, 2014 GP3 champion and won the prestigious Macau F3 Grand Prix in 2013. Additionally, he has multiple wins in GP2 (now known as F2) to his credit and has also been a Formula 1 test driver for Renault and Williams. In June this year he made his Formula E debut for DS Virgin in New York.

Meanwhile, Bird, who has contested every one of the team's 33 race starts, taking five wins, will continue his association with DS Virgin Racing in the fourth season of the all-electric series.

"It's great to be remaining with the DS Virgin Racing family which I've been a part of since we completed the first ever test lap at Donington Park in 2014. Last season saw us take some big steps forward in terms of pace and energy management – as our double victory in New York showed – and I know the team has been working hard on maintaining this competitive edge. I'm looking forward to further success in season four and to be partnering with Alex who will no doubt prove to be a real asset to the team."

Team principal Alex Tai commented: "I'm delighted to announce our driver line-up for season four. Alex has always impressed me and has a proven track record in international motorsport so I know he will perform out of the blocks as we've already seen. It's also important for us at DS Virgin Racing to be nurturing young drivers like Alex and the next generation of Formula E racers. Together with Sam, who has consistently proven himself to be one of the most talented drivers on the grid, and the pace of our car, I believe we have a very competitive package that can fight at the top."