Jake Dennis will drive for BMW i Andretti Motorsport this season after the team said he had ‘won over’ them during what they described as an intensive selection process.
The British driver impressed the team with his performances in testing and in the BMW Motorsport simulator, so takes the final race seat alongside Maximilian Günther.
Dennis has competed in Formula 3, DTM and currently carries out test and simulator work for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing in Formula 1.
He replaces fellow Brit Alexander Sims who announced at the end of last season that he would be moving to Mahindra Racing for the 2020-21 season.
BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said that having tested several candidates, he felt that Dennis met the team’s ‘very special’ criteria.
“I’m delighted that we were able to recruit a young, talented, versatile driver like him for our Formula E project,” Marquardt said. “His performances in the BMW Motorsport simulator and during test drives in the BMW iFE.20 were impressive which is why we decided to offer him the cockpit alongside Maximilian Günther.
“To be successful in Formula E with all its unique challenges, a driver must meet some very special criteria. We considered all of those and tested our candidates thoroughly with these in mind.
“At the end it was clear to us that Jake Dennis brings the perfect full package that we desire from a driver in Formula E.”
Dennis himself said he was delighted with his promotion – and that while driving in Formula E would be a challenge, he thought his adaptability as a driver would help him.
“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge that awaits me in Formula E, and would like to thank all those in charge at BMW i Andretti Motorsport for their trust,” he said.
“I’m aware that I will be confronted with unique requirements in Formula E, which I will need to get used to first, but versatility has always been one of my strengths, and I am confident that, with the help of the team and my fellow driver Maximilian Günther, I will quickly get my bearings.
“Formula E is one of those race series that, as a racing driver, you really want to be involved in at the moment because the level of manufacturers, teams and drivers is higher there than anywhere else.”
