Gutiérrez named reserve driver for Mercedes in Formula E
Mexican driver Esteban Gutiérrez has just been appointed reserve and development driver for the newly-formed Mercedes team in Formula E. He will share this role throughout the season with Briton Gary Paffett.
Since leaving Haas F1 Team and a full-time driver role in Formula 1, Esteban Gutiérrez has been expanding his activities. The Mexican driver has indeed appeared in IndyCar for a few races but also holds the role of simulator and development driver for the major Mercedes F1 team.
Simulator work that the star brand acknowledges by offering him the opportunity to become a reserve and development driver within its new Formula E team. He will hold this role jointly with Gary Paffett, the main driver at HWA Racelab last year, on which the German team was built.
Gutiérrez is not a stranger to Formula E as he has already participated in 3 ePrix for Techeetah in 2017, alongside Jean-Eric Vergne, achieving good results but experiencing difficulties with the energy consumption of his car.
Last August, the former Sauber and Haas Formula 1 driver had already had the opportunity to test the Silver Arrow 01 with the aim of being signed, but Mercedes preferred the new Formula 2 champion Nyck de Vries to support the Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne.
In any case, the native of Monterrey appears particularly delighted with the opportunity he has been given.
“I am really looking forward to continuing my adventure with the Mercedes family by joining Formula E as a reserve and development driver,” said Gutiérrez. “I would like to thank the team for giving me the chance to be with them and to take part in this exciting new chapter.”
For his part, Ian James, the director of the Mercedes FE team, emphasized the importance of a driver like Gutiérrez due to his experience in various championships as well as the experience gained in the simulator of the team that is a 6-time Formula 1 World Champion.
« I am really delighted that we have been able to secure the services of Esteban, who is also an experienced driver, James said. « He did an excellent job during testing in Majorca, where he fit in perfectly with the team. He has a lot of experience to offer after having raced in various championships such as Formula 1, Formula E, and IndyCar. He has also gained expertise in the simulator regarding car development and settings. »
Gutiérrez and Paffett will take turns attending the Formula E ePrix. The new season of the 100% electric category will start next Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
