Sam Bird will join Jaguar Racing for Season 7 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, ending a long-term six-season collaboration with Envision Virgin.
Bird was one of the first drivers to join the all-electric single-seater series in 2014 and is one of only three drivers to start every race in the championship’s history.
With nine wins, the 33-year-old is the most successful driver in the series not to win a championship, coming closest in the 2017-18 season in which he battled Jean-Eric Vergne for the crown, however, ultimately took third.
Bird has been on Jaguar’s radar for several seasons and after two difficult back-to-back seasons with Envision Virgin, will switch to the British marque for Season 7 which commences in January 2021.
“I am really looking forward to a new chapter in my Formula E career with Panasonic Jaguar Racing,” said Bird.
“I have watched Jaguar’s growth and progress in the series and am very proud to be driving for an iconic British brand with such a successful racing DNA and joining an incredible list of drivers that have raced for the brand.
“I am incredibly hungry for success and I believe that together with Mitch we can achieve great things for the team and ourselves.
“I want to thank Envision Virgin Racing for everything we have achieved together and wish them well for the future. After Berlin, I can’t wait to test the Jaguar I-TYPE and be in the best place possible for season seven and beyond.
By joining Jaguar, Bird takes the place of James Calado who replaced Alex Lynn at the team for the present campaign and will partner Mitch Evans for Formula E’s first season as a World Championship.
“On behalf of the entire Panasonic Jaguar Racing Formula E team and everyone at Jaguar we would like to welcome Sam to the family,” added Jaguar Racing Team Director James Barclay.
“Since the start of Formula E Sam has demonstrated that he is one of the very best drivers in the championship and we believe that together we will form a great partnership.
“With Mitch and Sam we believe that we have arguably one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid. With extremely close competition it is clear that to be successful in Formula E you need two drivers who can be competing for podiums at every race.
“We now have two proven race winners that are capable of enabling us to challenge for both team and driver championship titles next season.”
By leaving the Envision Virgin squad, Bird’s departure opens up a seat in Formula E for reigning Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy, who is expected to partner Robin Frijns at the outfit for the 2020/21 season.
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