Mike Conway will return to Formula E with the Faraday Future Dragon Racing team at the Paris ePrix to cover for Frenchman Loic Duval.
Duval will miss his home race in the French capital due to clashing commitments with Audi in the DTM series. Conway will stand in alongside team regular Jerome D’Ambrosio for the event, which takes place on 20 May.
For Conway, it’s a return to where it all started. The Kent-born racing driver had tested tested for Dragon during the collective sessions ahead of the all-electric series’ inaugural season in 2014, before landing a top-level WEC drive. At that point, many had wondered if Dragon would even make it to the start line of the first race, such was the team’s low-key approach to testing. Yet, the team went on to become one of the most consistent in the young sport.
(You can read Conway’s 2014 interview with Current E here.)
Conway returned to Formula E in season two, dovetailing a part-season campaign for Venturi with his Toyota WEC drive.
The 33-year-old made his Formula E debut as Jacques Villeneuve’s replacement in Buenos Aires. He made the Superpole shoot-out at his first attempt and recorded three points finishes during the season, with his best result of eighth coming in Berlin. He lost his drive at the end of the season, when Venturi reportedly needed to put a German driver in the seat after landing a new sponsor.
“I’m honoured to be given the opportunity to compete with Faraday Future Dragon Racing,” the Brit said in the official team statement. “The team has showcased fervour and technical prowess this season and I am confident of the positive results we can achieve together in Paris.”
Dragon boss Jay Penske added: “We are thrilled to have Mike Conway join us next month for the Paris ePrix. He’s an experienced driver whom I have always respected and I believe his talent and tenacity will contribute to the team’s overall performance in Paris.”
While his Paris outing with Dragon Racing is expected to be a one-off, Conway told Autosport that he is exploring the possibility of making a full-time Formula E return in season four.
“I want to continue on in Formula E beyond Paris and into the next season too,” he said. “To do a programme alongside Formula E would be ideal but it is very much step by step for the moment and we will see how it goes. But yes I want to be back there.”
Staff writer: Lewis Larkam