Max Gunther will make his debut in Formula E this season after Dragon Racing announced him as their new driver.
Gunther makes the step up to race team having been Dragon’s test and reserve driver last year, and will join Jose Maria Lopez.
The German makes the move to all-electric racing having competed in Formula 2 for BWT Arden this season, where despite winning at Silverstone he currently lies in fourteenth in the standings.
Speaking about his new drive, thanked team owner Jay Penske for the opportunity to drive in the series.
“I’m really happy to compete with Dragon in the upcoming ABB FIA Formula E championship,” Gunther commented. “We made great progress during our development with the more powerful and complex Gen2 Car.
“It’s an exciting challenge for both the engineers and the driver, and I’m enjoying every second driving it. The working atmosphere inside the team is fantastic, I feel really comfortable and can’t wait to get the new season started.
“Certainly, I will give it my all to deliver the best possible results for the team. I want to thank Jay Penske and the entire Dragon team for their trust and for giving me the opportunity to race in this first-class championship.”
Penske himself said he was happy to promote Gunther to the race team, and that he had impressed them during his time as test driver.
“I’m very pleased to give Max the opportunity to race in the no. 6 car this season,” he said. “Maximilian did a tremendous job building rapport with the team and working with the entire organisation on the development of the Penske EV-3.
“Maximilian has shown himself to be a true competitor. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of his hard work in season five.”
The announcement from Dragon means that all of the empty seats on the 2018-19 grid have now been filled, although Alexander Albon is expected to defy his contract with Nissan e.dams to move to Formula 1 with Scuderia Toro Rosso, meaning that the Japanese squad will need to find a replacement.
