Ex-Formula 1 driver Esteban Gutierrez has been named as Mercedes' reserve and development driver in Formula 🐽E ahead of the team's debut in Saudi Arabia next weekend.

Gutierrez linked up with Mercedes in a simulator role through 2018 after previously racing for Sauber and Haas in Formula 1, making 59 starts across th♒ree seasons, as well as enj🧜oying forays into IndyCar and Formula E.

The Mexic🐼an has remained part of Mercedes' team through 2019, and will now expand his responsibilities to support its Formula E drivers, Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries, through the 2019-20 season.

"I'm very much looking forward to continuing my journey with the Mercedes family by joining Formula 𓄧E as a Reserve and Develop🌜ment Driver," said Gutierrez.

"I would like to thank the team for giving me the chance to join them as they embar🦋k on this new and exciting chapter."

"We will face a lot of challenges 🌃in our first season in Formula E, so I'm really pleased we've been able to acquire the services of Esteban, another experienced driver," said Mercedes Formula E chief&n𒆙bsp;Ian James.

"He did an excellent job during testing in Majorca, fitting in perfectly with the team. He has a lot of experience to offer from racing in a number of different series - Formula 1, Formula E and IndyCar - and has also gained a lot of know-how in the꧋ simulator about how to develop aജnd set up a car.

"We are certain that he will be of enormous help with the tasks we face in our♏ debut season in his joint role as Reserve and Development Driver with Gary [Paffett]."

Gutierrez is understood to have been considered for a full-time seat in Form🥃ula E with Mercedes, only to be passed over in favour of Vandoorne and de Vries.