Sports\Motor news

Ex-Haas F1 driver Gutierrez joins Formula E

By Owen Fishwick | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-03-10 11:54

Ex-Haas F1 driver Gutierrez joins Formula E

Haas Formula One driver Esteban Gutierrez of Mexico waves to the media during a news conference at the Plaza Carso in Mexico City, Mexico October 26, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Having lost his drive at Haas F1, Esteban Gutierrez is set to replace Ma Qinghua at Chinese Formula E race team Techeetah, making his debut at the Mexico City ePrix on April 1, according to motorsport.com.

The Mexican will drive for the team for the rest of the season, taking Ma's seat, after the Shanghai-born driver failed to deliver any points in his seven races in the fully-electric championship.

Techeetah is expected to officially confirm Gutierrez as Jean-Eric Vergne's new teammate shortly, with Ma taking on a reserve driver role at the team for the rest of the season.

Gutierrez announced in January that he was looking at options in Formula E and it is understood that he had contact with Renault e.dams, Faraday Future Dragon Racing, and DS Virgin Racing with regards to a race seat.

The 25-year-old made his Formula One race debut with Sauber for the 2013 season, scoring his first and only points finish at Suzuka in Japan with a seventh place. He raced again for Sauber in 2014, before becoming Scuderia Ferrari's reserve driver in 2015, and taking a seat at American F1 team Hass for the 2016 season.