TECHEETAH, the Shanghai based Formula E team, has today announced that they will put Andre Lotterer behind the wheel for his first season of electric racing. He will partner our most recent race winner, and current TECHEETAH driver, Jean Eric Vergne.

 

Andre Lotterer has less than three months before he will experiences all electric racing for the first time. Lotterer is currently competing in the World Endurance championship with Porsche. This news comes as he is riding on the high of three consecutive 2nd places finishes which has put him into 4th place in the championship.

He won the WEC title in 2012, behind the wheel of an Audi. With this same team, Lotterer found victory at the 24 Hours of Le Man in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

However the German will be keen to find success in his new venture, as he hasn’t graced the top step of the podium since 6 hours of Spa in 2015. He commented that “I am honoured and proud to join TECHEETAH to make my Formula-E debut. Formula E has been the most exciting motor racing series in recent years.”

Lotterer was quick to praise his new team and show excitement for what the future may hold. “TECHEETAH made a very big impression last season beating a number of manufacturer teams, and I am looking forward to working with JEV and everyone in TECHEETAH to start this new chapter in my racing career”

He is making this debut with last years rookie team, TECHEETAH, who finished in 5th place in last years championship standings. They got here with 7 podiums and 1 win, thanks to Jean Eric Vergne in the final race of the season. They will hope to carry this momentum on to next season and build on the fact that they scored more points than any other team across the last four races of the season.

Managing Director, Ivan Yim, commented that “Jean-Eric Vergne and Andre Lotterer will form one of the strongest driver line ups in Formula E. I’m sure our two drivers will push each other to new levels of performance. Andre’s track record and experience with some of motorsport’s most significant factory teams, brings immense value as we push our own development in both the medium and long-term.”

However, he is acutely aware of the challenge that Lotterer now faces. “With only three test days available to us as a private team, we’ll be looking to Andre to adapt quickly to the format and car. The intent is clear; we’re putting a quick driver together with the team’s proven Renault Sport powertrain. With the all-new season 5 car on the horizon, we are confident that season 4 will assist Andre in being well prepared along with Jean-Eric to mount a solid challenge for the Championship.”

Feature Image Credit: “Andre Lotterer joins TECHEETAH to make Formula-E debut”

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Originally posted on 26th September, 2017 for Overtake Motorsport

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