Gary Paffett has been named as the reserve driver and sporting advisor for Mercedes-Benz ahead of the team's debut season in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
The British racer made his debut in Formula E last season, driving alongside Stoffel Vandoorne at HWA Racelab, however, missed out on a seat at Mercedes for Season 6, with the German marque opting for Vandoorne and 2019 Formula 2 champion Nyck de Vries.
“On the one hand, I’m obviously a bit disappointed that I won’t be competing for Mercedes-Benz in Formula E this season,” said Paffett.
“But on the other, I’m very excited to be part of the team and to be supporting Mercedes-Benz in their first year in Formula E as Reserve and Development Driver.
"At the same time, it will be very interesting to help out on a sporting level at the race weekends, trying to get the best possible performance out of the two race drivers and the entire team.
"It’s very important to have a racing driver as part of the management team. I understand how drivers think and how to get the best out of them. In me, they have a partner to discuss their performance with and to talk about the car. It’s a new role for me and one that I’m looking forward to.”
In his new role, the two-time DTM champion will join the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team at races, acting as reserve and development driver while also offering his racing expertise to the outfit in its debut season.
“Gary has been an important pillar of our motorsport programme for the past 16 years,” said Ian James, Team Principal of Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team.
“We are therefore delighted to have appointed Gary as our Sporting and Technical Advisor and as the Reserve and Development Driver for the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team.
“There is no doubt that he will continue to play a major role in the future development of the team, as indeed he always has.”
