Piquet joins Extreme E drivers’ programme

Nelson Piquet Jnr has shown his interest in the new Extreme E series by signing up to the drivers’ programme.

Piquet won the first Formula E drivers’ title in 2014/15 and had been an ever-present driver in the series until he was replaced by Jaguar Racing halfway through 2018/19.

Piquet had competed in a partial TitansRX programme in 2019 with a best finish of ninth place in his four rounds, although did show rapid pace during that period.

“When I was competing in Formula E, for a lot of us drivers, it taught us a huge amount about the need to push for sustainability as well as the electrification of the automobile industry”, said Piquet.

“I couldn’t have predicted to learn as much as I did about what is happening in our world and about climate change as I did, and it became very important to me to do what I can to spread the message where I can.

“Knowing Alejandro, I expect it [Extreme E] to bring something fresh and current to the world of motorsport.

“As we saw with Formula E, Alejandro has a passion and skill for creating new, of-the-moment concepts, and I feel sure that Extreme E will capture imaginations just as Formula E has.”

Piquet joins the likes of multiple WRC champion Sebastien Ogier, World RallyCross drivers Andreas Bakkerud and Kevin and Timmy Hansen and the first W Series champion, Jamie Chadwick among others in the current Extreme E drivers’ programme.

Current Formula E drivers Andre Lotterer and Lucas di Grassi are also in the programme, alongside former FE drivers Bruno Senna and Katherine Legge.

Although the drivers’ programme is designed to help prospective entries choose their line-up, they will be free to select drivers from outside the pool.