Gasly to fill Buemi’s shoes in New York City

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New places, new faces: Pierre Gasly will replace reigning Formula E champion Sebastien Buemi at Renault e.dams for this week’s Qualcomm New York City ePrix, as the team officially announced this morning.

Due to his Toyota commitments in WEC, Buemi is forced to miss the double-header in the city that never sleeps and will take on the challenge that is Nürburgring instead. While the Swiss driver and the Renault e.dams squad were trying to convince Toyota to release him from his WEC duties for the Qualcomm New York City ePrix for weeks, the French squad was already working on a possible replacement behind the scenes. The team’s co-owner Jean-Paul Driot was quoted saying “I know who we will put in the car if we have to make a change” several weeks ago, Gasly’s signing does not come as a complete surprise as the 21-year old Frenchman was already hotly tipped to fill Buemi’s shoes in NYC back in June.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I hope that with Pierre Gasly’s invaluable assistance, Renault e.dams will be able to defend their winning chances in Montreal.”[/perfectpullquote]

“I deeply regret this clash between the WEC and FE which could have been avoided. However, we have to move forward and we are very pleased to welcome Pierre Gasly. Racing in New York is going to be a challenge as he makes his Formula E debut at the end of the championship. But looking at our preparation, we are confident and our goal remains the same, to score the maximum points to strengthen our lead in the championship”, says Alain Prost, co-owner of the Renault e.dams team.

Driot adds: “This situation is regrettable because even without this clash, the championship is not a certainty. Despite this unfortunate setback, I hope that with Pierre Gasly’s invaluable assistance, Renault e.dams will be able to defend their winning chances in Montreal.” Buemi himself commented on the situation on Twitter, stating that he still hopes to fight for the Formula E title on Montreal later this month.

After long and intense discussions I have to confirm that I will not compete in any of the 2 #newyorkeprix for @RENAULTedams

— Sébastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) 10. Juli 2017

I will be at the Nürburgring for @Toyota_Hybrid and I will do everything I can to fight and help my team for the @FIAWEC championships. — Sébastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) 10. Juli 2017

I want to wish @RENAULTedams and @PierreGASLY a strong weekend.

— Sébastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) 10. Juli 2017

and I hope to still be in a position to fight for the @FIAformulaE championship at the season finals in #montrealeprix — Sébastien Buemi (@Sebastien_buemi) 10. Juli 2017

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Image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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