Expat New Zealander Tom Blomqvist will form an all Kiwi Jaguar Racing team line-up for the final two Formula E races in Berlin as an out-going James Calado heads to Spa and begins preparations for the return of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The eight-time NZ karting champion and GT ace was only recently announced as Jaguar’s reserve driver ahead of the Berlin finale, affirming speculation that Ferrari AF Corse driver Calado will need to be replaced at some stage during the event.
Calado thus calls time on his short-lived Formula E career which yielded only 10 points and 17th in the standings; a tumultuous maiden season considering teammate Evans was a frequent podium challenger and currently has the opportunity to steal second in the points.
The Brit will be replaced by Sam Bird in 2021 who leaves Envision Virgin after six seasons with the squad, making way for another Kiwi in Nick Cassidy to land a drive in the all-electric series.
Fortunately for Blomqvist, the final two races of the season will be held an unraced extended Tempelhof circuit layout of which no driver in the field has had experience on.
It puts every driver in the same boat and presents an opportunity for Blomqvist to deliver a strong result expected of a Jaguar racer.
“I am excited to get behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 4 for the last couple of races,” said Blomqvist.
“It will be a new layout for those races and a fresh opportunity for everyone.
“I am looking forward to making my return to Formula E and want to deliver my very best for Mitch [Evans] and the team.”
Blomqvist has previously contested six E-Prix with Andretti in the 2017-18 season, the last of the obsolete Gen1 car, scoring a best result of eighth at Marrakesh.
The Kiwi will also make his Le Mans debut later this year in the HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488.
“I would like to thank James for everything he has done for the team this year under incredibly difficult circumstances,” added Jaguar’s team director James Barclay.
“He is such a professional driver and I would like to wish him well in Spa this week in his fight for the World Endurance Championship.
“Tom has arrived in Berlin having supported the team over the last week back in the UK at our team base.
“He has a tough job ahead of him, but he is really up for the challenge. His previous Formula E experience and knowledge will stand him in good stead.”
The first of the final two races gets underway on Thursday morning (NZT) from 4.30 am and will be broadcast live on TVNZ Duke.