Techeetah takes China a step further in Formula E

The Chinese team Techeetah is one of the two names making their debut for season 3. This team is actually the result of SECA, a sports marketing and management company, acquiring the license previously held by Amelin Aguri. The team will be managed by Mark Preston, who was already a member of the previous team. It’s worth noting that the team has secured the use of Renault’s very competitive powertrain from last year. The start of the season might be a bit challenging as everything is put in place, but the team should benefit from the experience of last season’s team members in order to join the competition.

@TecheetahFE first car change practice in @FIAformulaE season 3! Get warm up! pic.twitter.com/bElkHerjau

— Ma Qing Hua (@maqinghuaF1) 10 septembre 2016

Ma Qing Hua: The 28-year-old Chinese driver competed in the last four rounds of season 2 with Amelin Aguri, achieving his best result with an eleventh place in the first race in London. Following the team’s acquisition by SECA, with shares held by a group of Chinese investors, he was retained for season 3. In 2011, he won the China Touring Car Championship and participated in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with Citroën. His few races in 2016 were not convincing, but he can rely on the experience gained. The team’s level will need to be observed to judge his performances.

Jean-Eric Vergne: The 26-year-old Frenchman is set to begin his third season in the electric discipline with this new team. During Season 1, he drove for Andretti starting from the Punta del Este race. He secured two podiums in Miami and London in the first race. His total in the drivers’ championship amounted to 70 points, earning him a 7th place in the championship. For his second season, he joined DS Virgin and achieved two podiums, in Paris and London in race 1. By the end of the season, he totaled 58 points and finished in 9th place. He drove in F1 for Toro Rosso from 2012 to 2014. He is currently a development driver for Scuderia Ferrari in F1. 2016 remains a mixed season for him with improving results towards the end of the season; although his latest results might give him hope to ride this positive momentum, much will depend, as for his teammate, on the level of his team. For the time being, private tests in Donington suggest that the Chinese machine could quickly be up to speed. Let’s recall that the Parisian had achieved a small feat by breaking the record of the British track on the second day of the first private testing session! Will there be confirmation this Sunday in Hong Kong?

Our two drivers. pic.twitter.com/mJdmn5gAXM

— TECHEETAH (@TecheetahFE) 11 septembre 2016