Brendon Hartley goes electric

Racing driver Brendon Hartley will join fellow Kiwi Mitch Evans in the ABB FIA Formula E championship in the sixth season starting November.

“Very happy to be joining Geox Dragon team for FIA Formula E season 6,” he tweeted.

“I met the team last week and have starting testing this week. Good feelings.”

Hartley has long been supported by the Giltrap Group.

He was tipped for the Porsche team in the all-electric race series and reports say he remains contracted to them although Porsche selected another driver with electric racing experience.

Hartley says Formula E racing is “completely different from anything I’ve done before”, adding an electric drivetrain provides instant power while the tracks and style of racing are different.

A second driver has yet to be announced for Geox Dragon which finished last in the season gone.

“I am very pleased to have Brendon pilot one of our two entries in season six of the ABB FIA Formula E championship,” team owner Jay Penske says.

“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.”

Hartley will also be racing for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship.

Mitch Evans will continue driving for the Panasonic Jaguar Racing team, while brother Simon is expected back in the support series Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy events.

The 2019-20 Formula E season starts in Saudi Arabia on November 22.