Paul di Resta gets maiden Formula E test with Jaguar

Paul di Resta will get his first taste of a Formula E car when he takes part in the Marrakesh rookie test next Sunday for Jaguar alongside World Series Formula V8 3.5 champion Pietro Fittipaldi.

Ex-Force India Formula 1 racer di Resta has raced with Mercedes in DTM since 2014, but expressed an interest in Formula E ahead of the German manufacturer's switch to the series next year.

Jaguar announced on Wednesday that di Resta and Fittipaldi would both complete running behind the wheel of its I-TYPE 2 car at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan in Marrakesh next week.

"I am really looking forward to my first taste of Formula E and the Jaguar I-TYPE 2.  It is a perfect opportunity, at the right time of year to have a go," di Resta said.

"It is great to start a relationship with Panasonic Jaguar Racing. It will be an intensive day of testing in Marrakesh but I'm sure I can give some positive feedback to the team."

"I'm very happy and grateful for the opportunity Panasonic Jaguar Racing has given me to test the Jaguar I-TYPE 2," added Fittipaldi.

"I have always followed Formula E closely since the first tests with the car at Donnington. So I am really looking forward to driving the car and with Jaguar’s heritage in racing it is a very special privilege."

Fittipaldi's test comes following his successful Formula 3.5 title win in Bahrain in November and subsequent LMP1 test with Porsche, with the Brazilian planning to move into Formula 2 for 2018.

Di Resta had been in the running for the final F1 seat with Williams in 2018 following an impressive stand-in display in Hungary, but is understood to be out of the frame now.

Di Resta has worked as Williams' F1 reserve driver for the past two years, with the British team enjoying links to Jaguar's Formula E operation via its technology arm, Williams Advanced Engineering.