Vergne signs multi-year DS Techeetah deal

Reigning Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne has signed a long-term contract with DS Techeetah on the eve of the new season which starts in Saudi Arabia.

Vergne aims to defend his Formula E crown this season after securing the 2017-18 title with Techeetah, who has picked up DS manufacturer backing ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, with the French driver naturally thrilled at the new deal having joined the team back in 2016.

“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,” Vergne said. “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. But first, we have the Ad Diriyah ePrix tomorrow and it’s going to be very exciting to see where we end up, the track looks great and I love driving the DS e-tense FE19 so let’s go racing.”

Vergne joined the Formula E grid three rounds into the inaugural campaign in 2014-15, securing pole position on debut, as he completed his first year with Andretti Autosport before switching to DS Virgin Racing for 2015-16.

The French driver then moved to Techeetah for 2016-17, taking his maiden Formula E race win at the season finale in Montreal, to launch his 2017-18 title charge.

The 2018-19 Formula E season gets underway this weekend with the Ad Diriyah ePrix on December 15.