JEDDAH: Geox Dragon’s latest signing, double FIA World Endurance champion and former Formula One driver Brendon Hartley, will make his Formula E debut with the Los Angeles-based squad in Riyadh in November.
Hartley’s signing — the first of two drivers for the US team — comes ahead of season six of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
The New Zealand ace’s rookie season in Formula E follows on the heels of a successful run in top tier hybrid-powered race cars, including Formula One and the LMP1 category of sportscar racing, where he won two WEC Championships, and scored 12, including a 24 Hours of Le Mans outright victory in 2017.
Hartley is renowned for his technical skills, and will bring his experience developing and competing with electrified powertrains to the development of the latest Penske Autosport vehicle. He will feature prominently in the US manufacturer’s development work this summer before making his race debut behind the wheel of the Penske EV-4 this November in Riyadh.
Hartley said: “I’m happy to be taking on a new challenge in Formula E together with Geox Dragon racing. 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. 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 Geox Dragon team, and I have a strong feeling that we can share some good success together in the coming season.”
Jay Penske, owner of Geox Dragon and Penske Autosport, said: “Brendon is a real racer. His unique combination of experience, intellect and racecraft will allow him to maximize the potential of the new Penske EV-4 powertrain.
“Most importantly, he shares our hunger and determination to take the fight to the incredible field of major manufacturers this season.”