Vandoorne signs up with DS Penske for Formula E's Season 8

©Mercedes

Reigning Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne will defend his title in the all-electric series next season with DS Penske where the Belgian will race alongside Jean-Eric Vergne.

Jay Penske's outfit - formerly known as Dragon - has joined forces with Citroen-affiliated DS Performance after the latter split with its former partner Techeetah due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Chinese-owned team.

Vergne - a Season 4 and Season 5 champion in FE - therefore remains connected to DS and to the Stellantis group, the Frenchman dovetailing his FE commitment with his drive in the WEC with factory Hypercar team Peugeot, while Vandoorne finds a new home for his skills after three years with Mercedes.

"The start of a new association is always a big moment, and all of us at DS Performance are eager to begin this new adventure with Penske Autosport," said DS director of performance Thomas Chevaucher.

"We are starting this partnership in the best possible way by having two champions in the team!," he said.

"Thanks to Stoffel and Jean-Eric, we probably have one of the best line-ups and also the fastest pairing on the grid.

"With the powertrain and software expertise of DS Performance, we are now in an ideal position to continue our hunt for victories and titles."

Read also: McLaren signs up René Rast for Formula E team

“We’re thrilled to partner with DS Automobiles, an iconic automotive brand who shares our ambitions in striving for excellence," added Penske.

"This is a major milestone for our team, and something we have been looking forward to for years. Together we will push the technological boundaries in our hunt for performance and wins.

"With world champion driver Stoffel and two-time champion Jean-Eric, I am confident that we have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid!"

Last season, Penske's Dragon team fielded Sergio Sette Camara and Antonio Giovinazzi. The Brazilian who scored the outfit's two championship points has moved to NIO 333 while the Italian is a candidate to replace Mick Schumacher at Haas in Formula 1.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.