Brendon Hartley will join compatriot Mitch Evans on the grid for the 2019/20 Formula E season after being confirmed with Dragon Racing.
The New Zealander had been in the frame with the factory Porsche team, having tested for the squad, only for Andre Lotterer to secure the second seat alongside Neel Jani.
Instead, Hartley will join the Jay Penske-owned Dragon Racing outfit which last season sported Jose Maria Lopez, Maximilian Guenther, and Felipe Nasr.
“I’m happy to be taking on a new challenge in Formula E together with Dragon Racing,” said Hartley.
“Formula E is totally different from any other race series I’ve been in, but I am hoping my experience in many categories with energy management will pay dividends and give me a head start as a rookie.
“I’ve always been a fan of street tracks and FE has some of the wildest I’ve seen.
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“That, together with some of the best drivers and manufacturers in the world, makes it an exciting place to be.
“I’ve already started working with most of the Dragon team, and I have a strong feeling that we can share some good success together in the coming season.”
Having finished second in the standings in Formula E’s inaugural campaign, Dragon Racing has since slumped in the standings and finished a lowly 10th last season.
“I am very pleased to have Brendon pilot one of our two entries in season six of the ABB FIA Formula E championship,” said Penske.
“Brendon is a real racer. He has a unique combination of experience, intellect, and racecraft that will allow him to maximise the potential of the new Penske EV-4 powertrain.
“Most importantly, he shares our hunger, and our determination to take the fight to the incredible field of major manufacturers this season.”
The addition of Formula E makes for a busy program for Hartley, who will also compete for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship, works as a simulator driver for Ferrari in Formula 1, and is a Porsche factory driver.
That schedule will see two clashes between Formula E and WEC events during the coming season, though it’s unclear which will receive precedence.
The 2019/20 Formula E season begins in Saudi Arabia with a double-header weekend in November.
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