Matthew Brabham has received a late call up to race in the third round of the all electric FIA Formula E Championship in Uruguay this weekend.
The 20-year-old will team up with the Andretti Autosport Formula E squad as a replacement for regular driver Franck Montagny at the Punta del Este meeting.
Brabham’s second promotion from a reserve driver role at the American team will see him race alongside Toro Rosso Formula 1 refugee Jean-Eric Vergne, who joined Andretti this week.
Having only made his race debut in the category following a last minute call up in Malaysia last month, Brabham has once again had limited build up to this weekend’s race.
However, he is relishing the chance to compare himself against a highly rated F1 driver in Vergne, while aiming to build on his 13th place finish in Putrajaya last month.
“Sharing the garage with Jean-Eric will be an awesome learning experience,” said Brabham.
“He is very highly rated and comes fresh from a season in Formula 1.
“As part of my reserve driver role with the team, it is a really big step up for me to be alongside someone that has literally just stepped out of an F1 car, but I want to take the time to work with him and the Andretti Formula-E team and learn as much as I can, as well as chase a solid result.
“I learnt so much last time out – the Formula E field is full of drivers that I followed closely on television as a kid.
“To be in the thick of it rubbing wheels with them was an absolute thrill.
“Andretti have proven they are one of the best teams in the field when it comes to strategy.
“That didn’t come into play too much with the safety cars in Putrajaya, but we’re hoping it can this weekend.”
Audi Sport ABT driver Lucas di Grassi currently leads the championship standings by three points from Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird, who tasted victory last time out at Putrajaya.
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