Gutierrez will challenge for Formula E title - Agag
Ex-F1 driver Esteban Gutierrez will challenge for the Formula E title in season four, predicts series boss Alejandro Agag.
Photo by: XPB Images
It was announced at the start of the week that Gutierrez, dropped by the Haas F1 squad for 2017, will make his Formula E debut this season, with a yet-to-be finalised programme that will include his home race in Mexico City and July's New York double-header.
While Gutierrez's part-time campaign precludes him from a season three title bid, Agag believes the former GP3 champion - whose team has yet be confirmed - will be in a position to go for the championship in his first full campaign in 2017/18.
"I think that’s great news for the championship," said Agag of Gutierrez joining Formula E.
"He’s a young driver and has a long career in front of him and is choosing to follow his career after Formula 1 in Formula E. At his age, I see a very bright future for him.
"This year Esteban is going to be on a learning curve in Formula E - he’s missed two races of the season already, so it’s not a season for him to try to win the championship, but a season to learn.
"He’ll race in Mexico and New York - we have a few clashes with other championships that will free up seats and for him to occupy those seats and to learn.
"And then after that in season four, I think he’ll have a proper race drive and will be one of the guys who is going to fight for the championship."
WEC clashes don't worry Agag
A clash with the WEC Prologue in Monza means that several Formula E regulars may be forced to skip the Mexico race - a problem the all-electric series faces again for its New York round, which is scheduled to take place on the same weekend as the WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring.
However, the prospect of some top names having to skip races doesn't worry Agag, who believes it could even help to make the title race more interesting.
Said Agag: "Who knows what is going to happen with the clashes? Maybe [Sebastien] Buemi is going to miss some races, so right now he is building a bag of points in case he needs them to hold onto that first position. I think the season is going to be fascinating.
"I’m not really worried about the clashes. I think it’s good to have new drivers coming in and that can give a bit more intrigue to the championship.
"I think the season ahead of us is going to be as exciting, if not more exciting than season one and two."
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