de Silvestro and Preining announced as Porsche development drivers

Simona de Silvestro and Thomas Preining have been confirmed by Porsche as their test and development drivers for the upcoming Formula E season.

de Silvestro has prior experience in the series having competed in the last two races in the inaugural season before following that up with a full season drive for Andretti the following year.

She also was the test driver for Venturi last season and has also been racing in the Supercars Championship in Australia.

Preining has been competing in the World Endurance Championship and the ADAC GT Masters category and before becoming a Porsche Junior, had previously raced in Formula 4.

Both drivers were looking forward to the opportunity with de Silvestro saying: “It is a great honour to work for this prestigious brand. 

“I am really looking forward to my new role as test and development driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.

“Over the last few years, I have gained a lot of experience from my previous involvements in Formula E.

“I will do my best to help Porsche on the road to success.”

Preining added: “I am very much looking forward to my new role in the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.

“I have followed Formula E closely from the word go.

“I am very excited to see what it feels like to drive the Porsche 99X Electric on the track.

“It is great to be able to support Porsche in its debut season in Formula E, and to be a part of this future-oriented project from the outset.”

Porsche Motorsport’s Vice President, Fritz Enzinger, was also enthusiastic about having both de Silvestro and Preining in the team alongside race drivers Andre Lotterer and Neel Jani.

He said: “In Simona and Thomas, we have acquired two proven talents for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team.

“Simona comes with a wealth of experience gained in various different race series and is also a familiar face in Formula E.

“We are looking forward to working with her and welcome her to the Porsche family.

“Thomas has been with us since 2017, during which time he has demonstrated his talent in GT racing on numerous occasions.

“With the Formula E programme, we are giving Simona and Thomas the opportunity to develop as drivers and to make a positive contribution to the Porsche Formula E project.”