Former Red Bull driver to bring successful Formula E career to an end

Buemi’s Formula 1 career lasted just three seasons, with the Swiss driver competing for Toro Rosso between 2009 and 2011. He made 55 Grand Prix starts for the Red Bull sister team, scoring 29 points before his time as a full-time F1 driver came to an end.

He subsequently turned his attention to other categories and joined Formula E for the championship’s inaugural season in 2014, quickly establishing himself as one of the leading figures in the all-electric series. After finishing runner-up in the first campaign, he went one better the following season by securing the 2015/16 Formula E title.

Alongside his Formula E commitments, Buemi also built an impressive endurance racing career with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship, where he claimed four drivers’ world titles. His success also extended to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with Buemi taking four overall victories at the prestigious endurance race and establishing himself as one of the most successful drivers of his generation outside Formula 1.

The Swiss will nevertheless remain involved with Envision in an advisory and development role, while his teammate Joel Eriksson will also vacate the second seat ahead of next season, which will mark the debut of the highly anticipated GEN4 era.

Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director & CTO of Envision Racing, acknowledged that the decision was a difficult one given the contribution both Buemi and Eriksson have made to the team. With Formula E preparing for the introduction of GEN4 and an increasingly demanding calendar, he stressed that Envision is entering an important period of development.

Filippi also expressed his gratitude to both drivers for everything they have contributed, with the team now hoping to bring the GEN3 era to a positive conclusion in London: “We are grateful to both drivers for everything they have given to Envision Racing and look forward to ending the GEN3 era on a high in London.”