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.
"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."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…
When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…
Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…
Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…
Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…
Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…