Audi slots in Rast as Abt's replacement in Formula E

Double DTM champion René Rast will contest the remaining six races of the FIA Formula E series with the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team, replacing the ousted Daniel Abt.

Audi parted ways with Abt after the latter's ringer ploy, when the German hired a sim racer to take his place in a round last month of FE's virtual Race at Home Challenge.

The 33-year-old Rast will therefore race alongside teammate Lucas di Grassi in the final six events of the 2019/20 FE season, with all rounds scheduled to take place at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport from August 5 to 13.

• Formula E season to resume in August with six-race stint in Berlin!

"I’ve been following Formula E very closely for a long time and am now looking forward to this new challenge," said Rast

"The demands on the drivers in Formula E are high: in addition to pure speed, it’s also a question of efficiency, battery management and the perfect strategy - and all of this on tight city circuits, where things are usually quite turbulent.

"But, with the testing at the beginning of July and my experience in the simulator, I will try to be as well prepared as possible when I arrive in Berlin.

"And with six races in nine days, I’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn quickly."

Rast won't be a newcomer to Formula E, having raced in the all-electric series on the streets of Berlin in 2016 for Team Aguri.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass, added: "As a two-time DTM champion and long-time Audi driver, Rene was naturally on the shortlist from the very beginning.

"In the past, he has often proved how fast he is in a new series without having to get used to it.

"It’s nice that there are no overlaps between DTM and Formula E so that Rene can compete in both series for us.

"With six final races in Berlin, our team still has everything to play for in the championship."

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