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NextEV retains Piquet, Turvey for Formula E season three

NextEV Car FrontThreeQuarter

NextEV has retained Nelson Piquet Jr. and Oliver Turvey for the third Formula E season, making an announcement ahead of collective testing at Donington Park on Tuesday.

Piquet won the inaugural Formula E title with NextEV in 2015, but was unable to put up a defence in season two due to issues with the powertrain used by the team. The Brazilian ended the season with just eight points to his name.

Turvey enjoyed his first full campaign in Formula E with NextEV last season, leading the team’s charge with a Super Pole appearance in London and finishing ninth in the final drivers’ standings.

NextEV had long-stated its wish to retain both Piquet and Turvey for season three, and announced on Tuesday that both would be staying on after signing multi-year deals.

“After the many months of hard work that everyone at the team has put in, we are delighted to reveal our NextEV Formula E Team 2016/17 challenger,” team CEO Martin Leach said.

“We are pleased with the progress made during private testing and are looking forward to continuing our extensive testing programme at this week’s test.

“Our new powertrain, increased regeneration levels and technical upgrades have us set for an exciting season ahead. Our team has further been strengthened with the appointment of new members, as we move into the next phase of NextEV’s involvement with Formula E.

“We are also happy to retain both Nelson and Oliver as we prepare to challenge for the 2016/17 championship.

“We believe we have the strongest driver pairing in the series and, with both drivers having contributed to the development of the new car, we are confident that we will be at the sharp end of the grid once again.”

“With NextEV fully committed to the Formula E programme, I believe that the team has a very strong long-term future,” Piquet added.

“I am happy to be continuing to race with the team that I won the world championship with, and we are looking forward to being able to fight for victories again next season.

“We have come off the back of a challenging season, but that meant we learnt a lot and we are stronger for it. I’m very happy to be racing alongside Oliver again. He’s a fantastic teammate and we’re working hard to achieve a strong team performance this season.”

Turvey added: “I am delighted to be able to continue racing for the NextEV Formula E Team. They gave me my first opportunity in the series so I am excited to continue the journey together with the team.

“I would like to thank Martin Leach and the whole team for putting their faith and support in me to be part of the NextEV future. I learnt a lot in my first full season and have taken this experience into the summer testing to work with the team on developing the new car.

“The team and I have similarly high ambitions for the season ahead and we will work hard together to achieve them. I know how much effort everyone at NextEV has put in so I can’t wait to start racing!”

Follow @LukeSmithF1