Alex Lynn steps up to full-time Formula E race seat with DS Virgin Racing
05.09.17 ALEX LYNN STEPS UP TO FULL-TIME FORMULA E RACE SEAT WITH DS VIRGIN RACING Briton joins team stalwart Sam Bird for all-British season four campaign British racer Alex Lynn has been signed on a multi-year deal alongside Sam Bird to contest the forthcoming fourth Formula E season for DS Virgin Racing, marking the series’ first ever all-British driver line-up. The 23-year-old was appointed the team’s official reserve driver earlier this year but will step up to a full-time race seat when the burgeoning all-electric single-seater championship gets underway on December 2 on the streets of Hong Kong. Despite his age, Lynn brings with him an impressive track record having previously been crowned the Formula Renault UK Champion, GP3 World Champion and victor in the coveted Macau F3 Grand Prix. Additionally, he has multiple wins in GP2 (now known as FIA Formula 2) to his credit and has also been a Formula 1 test driver. In June this year, he made his Formula E debut for the team in New York, securing pole position on his first attempt and becoming only the second driver since Beijing 2014 to have ever done so. Meanwhile, Bird, who has contested every one of the team’s 33 race starts, will continue his long-standing association with DS Virgin Racing, which has seen him secure five wins and nine podiums to make him the third all-time Formula E points scorer. Lynn will replace Argentinian Jose Maria Lopez who made his Formula E debut with the team last season. “I am over the moon at being promoted to a full-time drive with the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team,�?? said Lynn. “Having worked very closely with them since January this year, it has been a genuine pleasure to learn from such a fantastic group of high quality engineers and to integrate myself into their set-up. Indeed, I have been made to feel very welcome throughout their organisation and I would specifically like to thank Alex Tai for not only giving me the chance to make my series debut in New York, but for subsequently promoting me to this full-time race seat. I am currently enjoying helping the team to further develop the car and intend to fully repay everyone’s faith in me on track next season.�?? Bird said: “It’s great to be remaining with the DS Virgin Racing family which I’ve been a part of since we completed the first ever test lap at Donington Park in 2014. Last season saw us take some big steps forward in terms of pace and energy management – as our double victory in New York showed – and I know the team has been working hard on maintaining this competitive edge. I’m looking forward to further success in season four and to be partnering with Alex who will no doubt prove to be a real asset to the team.�?? Team Principal Alex Tai commented: “I’m delighted to announce our driver line-up for season four. Alex has always impressed me and has a proven track record in international motorsport so I know he will perform out of the blocks as we’ve already seen. It’s also important for us at DS Virgin Racing to be nurturing young drivers like Alex and the next generation of Formula E racers. Together with Sam, who has consistently proven himself to be one of the most talented drivers on the grid, and the pace of our car, I believe we have a very competitive package that can fight at the top. “I would also like to personally thank Jose for his contribution to the team last season and we wish him well for the future.�?? DS Performance Director Xavier Mestelan Pinon added: “Thank you to Jose who performed very well behind the wheel of the DSV-02 during his first Formula E season. In addition, his valuable technical feedback enabled us to progress this year. We are very pleased to continue to work with Sam Bird and Alex Lynn. Sam’s substantial experience has made him one of the quickest and most consistent drivers in the field, whilst Alex has shown fantastic promise during testing and of course his superb debut performance in New York.�?? DS Virgin Racing is one of the founding and most successful Formula E teams, working in partnership with French luxury car manufacturer DS Automobiles. Last season the team enjoyed its most successful season in terms of silverware, with an impressive six podiums and two wins, together with two pole positions and two fastest laps. The 2017/2018 FIA Formula E Championship begins in Hong Kong in December, with pre-season testing commencing on October 2 in Valencia. For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, visit: http://map.ds-virginracing.com/ -ENDS- For further information please contact: Tom Phillips, PR & Communications Manager, DS Virgin Racing E: tom.phillips@ds-virginracing.com // T: +44 (0) 7496 972965 About DS Virgin Racing: The DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of the founding and leading teams in the FIA Formula E Championship – the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets of some of the world’s most iconic cities. Headed up by Team Principal Alex Tai and with the support of Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, the team works in partnership with French luxury car manufacturer DS Automobiles, working together to power innovation. Now entering its fourth season, the British team enjoyed its most successful result in terms of silverware last season, with an impressive six podiums and two wins, together with two pole positions and two fastest laps. Meanwhile, the Virgin Group is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel & transportation, financial services, leisure & entertainment and health & wellness. For further information visit: Website: www.ds-virginracing.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSVirginRacing/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSVirginRacing // @DSVirginRacing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ds_virginracing/ About DS AUTOMOBILES A French brand born in Paris, DS was founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to embody the French know-how of luxury in its cars. Driven by its outstanding heritage and avant-garde spirit, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955. Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK, DS 4S, DS 5, DS 5LS, DS 6 and completed with DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity. Presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, DS 7 CROSSBACK, the SUV by DS featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire, ushers in the second generation of DS models. With the DS 7 CROSSBACK La Première limited edition model, forward thinkers can reserve their car online or at a DS Store or DS Salon, and be the first to get behind the wheel. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the Brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK equipped with E-Tense, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019. DS models are available from DS Stores, DS Salons and a selection of other dedicated spaces within the Citroën network. DS also has a flagship store, DS WORLD PARIS. DS represents a brand experience that goes beyond the products to include ONLY YOU, a collection of exclusive services showcased at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. Further information available at www.DSautomobiles.com About the FIA Formula E Championship: The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets against the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Paris, Berlin, New York and Montreal. The championship represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on the development of motor and battery components, which in turn will filter down to everyday contemporary electric road vehicles. About FIA & Michelin - Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility: As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.