F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Mercedes gives Gutierrez Formula E reserve role

Former F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez will serve as Mercedes' reserve and development driver in Formula E this season, the Mexican working alongside double DTM champion Gary Paffett.

Gutierrez, who competed in F1 with Sauber and Haas, raced in FE for Techeetah during the series' 2016-17 season and tested Mercedes electric Silver Arrow in Majorca last summer.

The German outfit's main lineup for the 2019-20 season which kicks off in Saudi Arabia next week includes Stoffel Vandoorne and 2019 F2 champion Nyck de Vries.

Mercedes said that Gutierrez and Paffett will alternate in their reserve role at FE events, with the Mexican in attendance at the opening round in Riyadh.

"I'm very much looking forward to continuing my journey with the Mercedes family by joining Formula E as a reserve and development Driver," said Gutierrez, who conducted simulator work in Brackley for the Mercedes F1 team.

"I would like to thank the team for giving me the chance to join them as they embark on this new and exciting chapter."

After getting acquainted with FE last year through its support for the HWA RaceLab team, Mercedes tackles the all-electric series as a works outfit for the very first time.

©Mercedes

"We will face a lot of challenges in our first season in Formula E, so I'm really pleased we've been able to acquire the services of Esteban, another experienced driver," said Mercedes FE team boss Ian James.

"He did an excellent job during testing in Majorca, fitting in perfectly with the team.

"He has a lot of experience to offer from racing in a number of different series - Formula 1, Formula E and IndyCar - and has also gained a lot of know-how in the simulator about how to develop and setup a car.

"We are certain that he will be of enormous help with the tasks we face in our debut season in his joint role as reserve and development driver with Gary."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Aston Martin says performance shortfall led to Fallows exit

Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough has shed some light on why the team’s former…

2 hours ago

FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s…

3 hours ago

F1 drivers blindsided by race director Wittich’s sudden exit

The abrupt removal last week of FIA race director Niels Wittich with just three races…

4 hours ago

McLaren relaxes ‘papaya rules’: Norris and Piastri free to race

Oscar Piastri has confirmed that McLaren’s team orders—dubbed the "Papaya Rules"—have been largely relaxed, giving…

5 hours ago

Cheers to the forever young pure racer Jacques Laffite

The forever young Jacques Laffite turns 81 today, but the years haven't aged this pure…

7 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Wednesday's build-up in pictures

The neon lights of Las Vegas are set to illuminate the Formula 1 world once…

7 hours ago