Alexander Sims will drive for Mahindra Racing in Season 7 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, leaving BMW i Andretti Motorsport.
The 32-year-old Londoner’s involvement in Formula E stretches back to its inaugural campaign when he worked as a test driver, however, for Season 5, the Briton secured a full-time seat on the grid.
A difficult debut season saw Sims score one pole position and podium finish, however, he continued to drive for BMW into Season 6 in which he became the first driver to take three consecutive pole positions, the latter of which led to his maiden win,
“I’m delighted to be joining Mahindra Racing and continuing my Formula E campaign,” said Sims. “It is an exciting opportunity to bring on the team’s package and challenge for strong results.
“Promoting sustainability and electric mobility is important to me personally and competing in Formula E provides a strong, innovative and forward-looking platform to raise awareness.
“I want to thank BMW i Andretti Motorsport for all its support during the past two seasons and wish the team well for the future.
“It’s been a huge learning curve coming into Formula E – it’s such a different discipline in motorsport and brings with it great new challenges.
“I’m excited to continue learning and to use my knowledge to support Mahindra Racing in the upcoming season.”
With Sims’ signing, the Banbury-based team also confirmed the departure of Jerome d’Ambrosio who took the squad’s most recent victory at the Season 5 Marrakesh E-Prix.
Team Principal Dilbagh Gill expressed his excitement when welcoming Sims to the team but also paid tribute to d’Ambrosio:
“I’m thrilled on behalf of the whole team to welcome Alexander,” he said. “I’m extremely excited about working with him and the prospect of what we can achieve together is motivating.
“In Alexander we have a proven racing talent plus someone that embodies what Mahindra Racing stands for with his personal principles in the areas of electrification and sustainability.
“He is an intellectual driver, a very nice guy and a team player; I’m enthused about what Season 7 will bring and look forward to announcing Alexander’s team-mate in due course.
“At the same time, I would like to pay tribute to Jerome, who leaves us after two years with the team.
“We have had some great moments together and I wish him all the very best as he moves on to new endeavours. He is a class act and I look forward to seeing what he does next.”
Alex Lynn is understood to be a key contender for the the second seat at Mahindra in Season 7 after an impressive Formula E comeback over the course of the series’ Berlin six-race showdown.
