Porsche recruits Simona de Silvestro for Formula E role

Former IndyCar and Sauber affiliated driver Simona de Silvestro has been signed up by Porsche and handed a testing and development role with the manufacturer's Formula E squad.

The Swiss driver will be joined at the works electric outfit by young Porsche hopeful Thomas Preining, with the pair working alongside race drivers Neel Jani and André Lotterer.

De Silvestro sampled Formula E back in 2015 when she started a couple of races for Andretti Autosport. The 31-year-old was also the Venturi team's official FE test driver for the 2018/19 season.

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"It is a great honour to work for this prestigious brand," said de Silvestro, who currently competes in the Australian Supercar championship.

"I am really looking forward to my new role as test and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.

"Over the last few years, I have gained a lot of experience from my previous involvements in Formula E. I will do my best to help Porsche on the road to success."

Fritz Enzinger, Porsche's VP for motorsport, believes both of the manufacturer's new recruits will contribute to its FE effort.

"In Simona and Thomas, we have acquired two proven talents for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team," said Enzinger.

"Simona comes with a wealth of experience gained in various different race series and is also a familiar face in Formula E. We are looking forward to working with her and welcome her to the Porsche family.

"Thomas has been with us since 2017, during which time he has demonstrated his talent in GT racing on numerous occasions.

"With the Formula E programme, we are giving Simona and Thomas the opportunity to develop as drivers and to make a positive contribution to the Porsche Formula E project."

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