Nick Cassidy is now one step away from securing a Formula E drive with reports emerging the Kiwi has confirmed a deal to race for Envision Virgin for the 2021 season.
The Japan-domiciled Kiwi will replace Sam Bird who is set to partner Mitch Evans at Jaguar next season after the British outfit has opted not to renew its services with a struggling James Calado.
Cassidy competed for Envision Virgin at a rookie test in Marrakesh where he annihilated the lap record in a sublime debut outing.
The Kiwi was also on call for the team in the recent Race at Home sim-racing challenge where he scored a podium on his sole outing.
Now, reports from motoring news outlet The-Race are confirming Cassidy has already inked his name on a contract with the team to join the grid for next season.
Cassidy will then become the third Kiwi on the grid, joining Mitch Evans and Brendon Hartley as those already set to contest the 2021 campaign.
With the global pandemic seeing the current Formula E season heavily delayed, series organisers have revealed a revised Season Seven calendar which will run entirely contained within 2021 with the opening race slated for January 16 in Santiago.
The delayed start to the season also means Cassidy will be able to see out his current Super GT and Super Formula campaigns.
While Cassidy’s name has been touted around the Formula 1 scene in recent past, a switch to the all-electric formulae will likely offer the Kiwi a more direct pathway to the top in his motorsport career.
Envision Virgin Racing is expected to officially confirm the departure of Bird and the signing of its 2021 driver line-up ahead of the sport’s return to action in Berlin next month.
The team’s second driver Robin Frijns is expected to be retained as Cassidy’s teammate for next season.
