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Muller to partner Hartley at Dragon in Formula E
Dragon has completed its 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E driver line-up by signing Audi factory racer Nico Muller, who will compete alongside ex-Formula 1 driver Brendon Hartley.
Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Sep 18, 2019, 9:29 AM
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Muller, who lies second in the 2019 DTM championship with two wins, will make his FE race debut with Dragon at the upcoming 2019/20 season opener in Saudi Arabia.
He has previous FE experience from test outings for Audi in Marrakesh in 2018 and '19 - where he was fastest on both occasions - as well as a day of running at the post-race test in Ad Diriyah that followed the first race of the 2018/19 season.
Muller was the works Audi FE team's test and development driver last season.
"I have already met and started working with most of the team," said Muller. "They are an extremely motivated group of racers. "They have proven their ability to win races and challenge for podiums in Formula E.
"They have done it before, and we aim to do it in season six. We have a big challenge ahead of us.
"We are an independent manufacturer, and the level of competition in Formula E is the highest in motorsport, but I have a lot of confidence in the team.
"We have a compact structure, and everyone has a full grasp on the project, so together we will be able to move quickly and optimise the Penske Autosport package.
"I love street racing, and I am looking forward to lining up against the best guys out there.
"Formula E is particularly challenging, especially for a rookie, but I think we have an extremely exciting year ahead of us.
"We are looking forward to competing with these major OEMs, and I am pumped to be able to put pressure on the big teams right from the start in Riyadh."
Muller's Dragon deal makes him the fourth Audi factory driver set to race in the 2019/20 FE season.
In addition to the two works racers Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt, Muller's DTM teammate Robin Frijns is expected to continue at the Envision Virgin Racing squad.
Dragon owner Jay Penske said: "I am very excited to have Nico behind the wheel of the #7 Penske EV-4 this season.
"Nico is a fierce competitor, and with him, we have the pieces in place to compete with the major OEM's in this landmark Formula E season. I look forward to very solid results in the upcoming season."
Hartley's 2019/20 Dragon deal was announced in August.
Maximilian Gunther, Jose Maria Lopez and Felipe Nasr all drove for the Dragon squad - which finished second to last in the teams' championship - last season. Gunther will remain in FE, having recently signed with BMW for the new campaign.
After the news of Muller’s Dragon deal was announced, Audi motorsport boss Dieter Gass released a statement saying: “Race drivers do not have an infinite number of opportunities in their careers.
“It has always been my view, that where possible, we will not hold our drivers back in terms of opportunities. This is often a fine line, because in the first place, I must ensure the interest of Audi.
“I am pleased that this has worked out with the clear priority on DTM and I wish Nico all the best in the electric motorsport series – even though, as an exception to the norm, he will be one of our competitors come the Formula E race days.”
An Audi spokesperson confirmed to Motorsport.com that Muller will remain part of Audi’s factory DTM programme, but will not be its works FE team’s test/development driver for next season.
Confirmed 2019/20 FE line-up:
Team Drivers Nissan e.dams
Sebastien Buemi
Oliver Rowland
Audi
Lucas di Grassi
Daniel Abt
Mahindra
Jerome d'Ambrosio
Pascal Wehrlein
Envision Virgin Racing
Sam Bird
Robin Frijns
DS Techeetah
Jean-Eric Vergne
Antonio Felix da Costa
Dragon
Brendon Hartley
Nico Muller
Jaguar
TBA
TBA
NIO
TBA
TBA
Venturi
Felipe Massa
Edoardo Mortara
BMW Andretti
Maximilian Gunther
TBA
Mercedes
Stoffel Vandoorne
Nyck de Vries
Porsche
Andre Lotterer
Neel Jani
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