ALEX LYNN TO RACE IN NEW YORK, AS SIR RICHARD BRANSON STEPS UP AS DS VIRGIN RACING TEAM’S RESERVE DRIVER

23-year-old Alex Lynn was appointed as official reserve driver to the DS Virgin Racing team earlier this year and steps up for the double-header event on 15 and 16 July to make his race debut, in temporary place of Jose Maria Lopez who is unable to compete.

Fresh from claiming LMP2 pole position at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours race, Lynn had previously been crowned a Formula Renault Champion, GP3 World Champion and victor in the coveted Macau F3 Grand Prix. Additionally, he has multiple wins in GP2 to his credit and is a long-standing Formula 1 test driver.

“I’m delighted to be racing for the DS Virgin Racing team,” said Lynn, who has previously driven the DS-V02 racecar during the Mexico race weekend shakedown. “Formula E has always impressed me with its combination of advanced technology, iconic city centre locations and some of the best drivers in the world. We have a lot of testing and simulator work to do before the New York event, but I’m confident I can show what I’m capable of during my rookie debut in the Big Apple.”

The appointment leaves the team without a reserve driver but the role has been willingly filled by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson who is already attending the inaugural event in New York City.

Sir Richard Branson said: “I heard about the situation at the team and offered my services! As you know, I’ve always loved a challenge and Alex, Sam and myself are the three plucky Brits ready to take on New York. Team Principal Alex Tai is putting me through my paces before the event; I’ve organised some testing time on the streets of Manhattan ahead of the race so hopefully I can impress the boss!”

Team Principal Alex Tai said: “I’ve long been an admirer of Alex as a driver so it will be great to see what he is capable of and how quickly he can adapt to the competitive world of Formula E. As it’s a new track it will be a level playing field for all drivers so, combined with our quick DS-V02 racecar, hopefully we can achieve the results we deserve. And besides there’s always Richard to fall back on!”

The New York rounds (9 and 10) of the FIA Formula E Championship take place on 15 and 16 July. For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, visit: www.ds-virginracing.com or to watch a video on Alex Lynn click: Alex Lynn Video.

For more information on the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team, please visit www.ds-virginracing.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

ADRIEN DA CUNHA BELVÈS – DS Performance - Marketing & Communications

+33 685 262791

adrien.dacunhabelves@DSautomobiles.com

TOM PHILLIPS - DS Virgin Racing PR & Communications Manager

+44 (0) 7496 972965

Tom.Phillips@ds-virginracing.com

LUCY RILLSTONE – DS Virgin Racing

+44 (0) 7494 567886

lucy.rillstone@ds-virginracing.com

DS UK COMMUNICATIONS

KEVIN JONES – Head of Communications

+44 (0)2476 884215 / +44(0) 7880 786596

kevin.jones@DSautomobiles.com

FOLLOW DS ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/ds_uk_official

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About DS AUTOMOBILES:

A French brand born in Paris, DS was founded on 1 June 2014. Its ambition is to embody the French know-how of luxury in its cars. Driven by its outstanding heritage and avant-garde spirit, DS perpetuates the values of innovation and distinction inherited from the first DS, launched in 1955. Designed for customers looking for a means to express themselves as individuals, the DS Collection comprises DS 3, DS 3 CABRIO, DS 4, DS 4 CROSSBACK and DS 5 (DS 5LS & DS 6 in China) and is complemented by the DS 7 CROSSBACK. The models in the DS range stand apart through their avant-garde design, refinement and attention to detail, advanced technology and dynamic serenity. Presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, DS 7 CROSSBACK – the SUV by DS featuring Parisian-style innovation and savoir-faire – ushers in the next generation of DS models. With the DS 7 CROSSBACK La Première first edition model, forward thinkers can reserve their car online or at a DS Store or DS Salon, and be the first to get behind the wheel. Committed to high-performance hybrid and electric cars, the brand will launch the DS 7 CROSSBACK equipped with E-Tense, the hybrid powertrain by DS, in 2019. DS models are available from DS Stores and DS Salons. DS also has flagship stores, DS WORLD PARIS, DS WORLD SHANGHAI and DS Urban Store, at Westfield London. Follow all DS news on www.DSautomobiles.com @DS_Official

DS Performance is the motorsport division of the business bringing technological expertise to Formula E through the DS Virgin Racing Formula E Team. Future DS vehicles will have Hybrid (PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and Electric technology advanced by the competitive development at its motorsport division at DS Performance located in Satory, near Versailles, France.

About Virgin group:

Virgin is a leading international investment group and one of the world's most recognised and respected brands. Conceived in 1970 by Sir Richard Branson, the Virgin Group has gone on to grow successful businesses in sectors including mobile telephony, travel & transportation, financial services, leisure & entertainment and health & wellness.

About Total:
Total is a global integrated energy producer and provider, a leading international oil and gas company, and the world's second-ranked solar energy operator with SunPower. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, cleaner, more efficient, more innovative and accessible to as many people as possible. As a responsible corporate citizen, we focus on ensuring that our operations in more than 130 countries worldwide consistently deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. ww.total.com.

About the FIA Formula E Championship:

The FIA Formula E Championship is the world’s first fully-electric single-seater racing series, competing on the streets in the backdrop of some of the most iconic cities - including Hong Kong, Marrakesh, Buenos Aires, Monaco, Paris, Montreal and New York. The championship represents a vision for the future of the motor industry, serving as a platform to showcase the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions. Future seasons will see the regulations open up further allowing manufacturers to focus on the development of motor and battery components, which in turn will filter down to everyday contemporary electric road vehicles. The 2016/17 FIA Formula E Championship sees 10 teams and 20 drivers go wheel-to-wheel in 12 cities spanning five continents in the fight to be crowned Formula E champion. The inaugural season of Formula E sparked into life in September 2014 around the grounds of the Olympic Park in Beijing. The third season of the all-electric racing series got underway on 9 October in Hong Kong, with the season finale double-header in Montreal on 29 & 30 July.

About FIA & Michelin - Today’s partners for tomorrow’s mobility:

As well as being the official Formula E tyre supplier, Michelin is an official partner, at the international level, of the FIA Action for Road Safety campaign. The programme is designed to support the Decade of Action for Road Safety initiated by the UN, the aim of which is to save five million lives over the next 10 years. This programme is set up to educate and advocate for safer roads, vehicles and behaviours around the globe.