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

Through one lens: Twelve photographs from the 2025 F1 season

  Lewis Hamilton: Australian GP – Albert Park Lewis Hamilton’s very first Grand Prix weekend…

8 hours ago

Two Formula 1 racers born on Christmas day

One driver has a hugely famous name, the other is a special Grand Prix winner,…

10 hours ago

Red with purpose – It’s time for Ferrari to bring it home

As the Ferrari factory in Maranello glows in festive crimson, a sense of anticipation hums…

1 day ago

Norris reveals the quirky private moment his F1 title finally sunk in

Lando Norris had just done the hardest thing in motorsport – winning the Formula 1…

1 day ago

Howden Ganley, McLaren's third-ever employee

A veteran of 41 Grands Prix starts, Howden Ganley - seen here above hitting a…

1 day ago

Leclerc’s ‘naughty’ Christmas gift leaves Russell ‘lost for words’

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc may not have ended the season with a silver trophy in hand,…

1 day ago