Porsche Junior Thomas Preining and female driver Simona de Silvestro announced as test and development drivers
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team has expanded its driver roster for its forthcoming debut in the premier championship for electric-powered single seaters. Simona de Silvestro and Thomas Preining have been revealed as test and development drivers for Weissach for this season, supporting Neel Jani and André Lotterer in the cockpit of the electric 9XX race car.
De Silvestro brings with her a wealth of experience in Formula E racing, having competed in the championship in both 2014/15 and 2015/16. Last year the 31-year-old Swiss driver was part of the Venturi Formula E team as test driver.
While de Silvestro will bring experience to Weissach’s Formula E effort for 2019/2020, Porsche Junior Thomas Preining will bring momentum from rising up through the motorsporting ranks at the manufacturer. The Austrian won the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2018, amassing race victories on his way to the title and also finishing 3rd in the Porsche Supercup before switching to the FIA WEC for customer RSR outfit Gulf Racing.
Fritz Enzinger, vice president Porsche Motorsport, said of the acquisitions: “In Simona and Thomas we have acquired two proven talents for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. With the Formula E programme, we are giving Simona and Thomas the opportunity to develop as drivers and to make a positive contribution to the Porsche Formula E project.”
