Reigning Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne has signed a ‘long-term’ contract with DS Techeetah ahead of the start of the 2018-19 season this weekend.
The Frenchman moved to the team in 2016 and enjoyed an impressive debut year with five podiums including one win at the season finale in Montreal.
He then followed that up last year with his first championship win, and with the team having formed a partnership with DS Motorsports they have high hopes of repeating that success.
Although they didn’t announce the length of the new contract, Team President Edmund Chu described it as being a ‘long-term’ deal.
“We are delighted to announce that we have agreed a new long-term contract with Jean-Éric“, Chu said.
“He has played a crucial part in our success to date with the Drivers’ Championship title being a special moment for all of us.
“Jean-Éric has been with us since season three and he’s been an important pillar in building the team together with the management and we’re very excited about being able to announce our continued partnership.
“Having two wold-class drivers on board is essential for our continued goal of working toward further championship wins,”
Vergne had been linked with a move to Formula 1 in the off-season with a return to his former Scuderia Toro Rosso team mooted, but he was quick to rule those rumours out, and said that it was great that he now had a long-term strategy for his career.
Vergne said, “First of all, I’d like to say a huge thanks to DS Techeetah for always having believed in me and for keeping their faith.
“DS TECHEETAH has been my home and my family for the last couple of seasons so it’s fantastic to be able to continue racing together with them.
“We achieved something incredible last season winning the Drivers’ title, and everyone is hungry for more. There are so many variables in racing so having the contract extended now is a great for both me and the team as we can now look at a long-term strategy together.
“We are aiming for more success together as a team and this is just the beginning.”
