Esteban Gutierrez has signed as reserve and development driver for the Mercedes-Benz EQ team as they head into their ABB FIA Formula E Championship debut.
Gutierrez will join the race line-up of Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries as well as Gary Paffett who was announced as reserve and development driver and Sporting and Technical Advisor last month.
The Mexican first tested the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01 back in August and has previous Formula E experience after driving three races for Techeetah back in the third season.
“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. “I would like to thank the team for giving me the chance to join them as they embark on this new and exciting chapter.”
Gutierrez has been part Mercedes-Benz since 2018 when he worked with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team on their simulator programme before doubling as both the team’s simulator and development driver for 2019.
Speaking of the new addition to his driving team, Mercedes-Benz EQ Team Principal Ian James commented how Gutierrez’s experience in multiple racing categories and with simulator work will assist the team in their Formula E journey.
“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 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.”
