Techeetah Formula E has announced that it will expand its current motorsport programme, confirming its entry to the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY ahead of the all-electric production car series' inaugural race this weekend.
The Oxfordshire-based squad, that powered Jean-Eric Vergne to the Drivers' title in Season Four of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, will be known in the series as TWR Techeetah, bringing the Tom Walkinshaw Racing brand back to the international stage of motorsport.
Working closely with Ryan Walkinshaw, Owner of the Walkinshaw Automotive Group, the team will field one car, with Canadian racer Stefan Rzadzinski behind the wheel.
“I’m very proud to return our family’s name to racing," said Walkinshaw. "Given the rich history TWR have with Jaguar, it felt like the perfect opportunity to revive TWR with Techeetah through one of the world’s most exciting motorsport platforms.
"It’s also my great pleasure to welcome Canadian racing driver, Stefan Rzadzinski, to the team. Stefan is a very talented up and coming driver who has come from the Porsche GT3 Cup.”
Acting as the official support series to Formula E for Season Five, the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will be present at 10 rounds of the all-electric single seater series, commencing this weekend at the Ad Diriyah E-Prix while the championship will come to a close in New York City.
Following the announcement of Techeetah joining the I-PACE eTROPHY, the grid for this weekend's inaugural race will expand to 12 drivers, with a number of well-known names competing including Katherine Legge, Bryan Sellers and Alice Powell, who will race Jaguar's VIP car on a one-off occasion.
“When we signed on the dotted line to enter the series it was a big moment for all of us. I’ve been wanting to get involved in electric racing for a while now and to be able to do so and bring back the TWR brand is quite something," said Rzadzinski.
"It will be the first time I’m in the I-PACE later this week so I’m sure there will be some things to learn. I’m very motivated to have a great season with a fantastic team behind us, so let’s go racing."
Techeetah Chief Commercial Officer, Keith Smout, continued: “We’re really excited to enter the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY championship. Our brand has gone from strength to strength this year and this is another great step forward for Techeetah.
"The Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY represents an opportunity to expand our brand and give our team partners more marketing exposure and business to business opportunities and it’s also hugely exciting to bring back the iconic TWR name to racing. Ryan’s father was a motorsport legend and we’re very proud to welcome back the TWR brand together with Ryan,”
Panasonic Jaguar Racing Team Director, James Barclay, added: "A huge welcome to TWR Techeetah. One of the reasons we launched the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY was to create a future pathway for the next generation of Formula E drivers.
"As one of the leading Formula E teams, Techeetah see the longevity and benefit of the series. Congratulations to Stefan on his drive and we wish the team success this season."
The race weekend in Ad Diriyah for the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY will consist of two practice sessions, qualifying and a race, with this weekend marking the series' debut.
