Nick Cassidy has been signed by Envision Virgin Racing to replace the Panasonic Jaguar bound Sam Bird, for Formula E’s seventh season.
Bird confirmed his departure from Virgin – a team he has spent his entire Formula E career with since the series debuted in 2014 – earlier this week, before Jaguar confirmed the Briton would be joining them for 2020/21.
Bird is the only driver in the championship to have won a race in every season.
25-year-old Cassidy, who last year took the Japanese Super Formula title and in 2017 won the Super GT championship, will make his FE debut alongside regular Robin Frijns.
The New Zealander took part in the FE rookie test in March where he topped the timing charts with a new lap record.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to be joining Formula E and Envision Virgin Racing from next season,” said Cassidy. “The team is one of the most successful on the grid, have a great set-up and facilities, and have continually impressed me since I joined them for the Rookie Test back in March.
“All drivers know the depth and quality of the field in Formula E is among the best in the world, so it is great to be adding my name to this roster.
“Racing in Japan has been an amazing experience and I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to achieve so much in a short space of time, but I feel it’s now time for the next challenge in my career and I’m very much looking forward to doing that with Envision Virgin Racing and Formula E.”
Envision Virgin Racing Managing Director Sylvain Filippi added: “As a team, it is always important to look ahead to ensure our long-term success. In Nick we know we have a very ambitious, capable driver with raw talent, speed and race craft, as well as an impressive track record for his age.
“Moving to become a world championship next season, we know Formula E is going to be as competitive as ever, but from his short time with us we are confident – together with Robin Frijns – we have two drivers that can compete at the sharp end to win championships.”
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