Maximilian Guenther stays, while Alexander Sims will leave the BMW i Andretti team for Season 7 of Formula E, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
The German driver made quite the impact in his first season with the manufacturer, becoming the youngest winner in the championship’s short history at just his third race in Santiago before taking another victory in Berlin en route to a strong ninth place in the Drivers’ standings.
Unsurprisingly then, BMW sees plenty of potential in Guenther moving forward and will continue together for the 2020/21 campaign.
“I am delighted to continue racing for BMW i Andretti Motorsport in Formula E and to go in pursuit of titles with them,” the 23-year-old commented.
“I have felt right at home from the moment I was included in the squad of BMW works drivers last year. I am very happy to remain a part of the BMW family. We have made it onto the podium three times in our first year together, twice as winners.
“In the Drivers’ Championship, we were in contention for second place until the final race. That shows how strong our package was.
“Formula E will be promoted to FIA World Championship status next season, and the first World Championship title is extra motivation for us. We will continue to work hard and do all we can to continue to make a statement and enjoy more success next year.”
For teammate Sims, however, he ends his stay at BMW after two seasons and will move on to Mahindra.
In that time though, the Briton claimed one win in Saudi Arabia at the start of Season 6 and finished 13th in the championship in both years.
“I would like to thank every single member of BMW i Andretti Motorsport for their hard work and belief in me over the last two seasons of Formula E,” he said.
“The working relationships have turned into friendships and I value that enormously. There have been a lot of great memories made and experiences enjoyed together, notably my first pole position in New York and first race win in Diriyah.
“The BMW family brought me into the professional motorsport world and has enabled me to go on an incredible journey that I am truly thankful for.
“Next season I will join a new racing family in Formula E, but I look forward to seeing all my BMW friends around the paddock in the coming seasons, and wish the team all the best in the future.”
There has been no news yet on Sims’ replacement.
BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt added: “I’m delighted to take on the next Formula E season with Maximilian Günther. It is incredibly valuable for the team to have a driver so focussed, professional and fast despite his young age at BMW i Andretti Motorsport.
“His two victories this season in Santiago and Berlin were real highlights. Maximilian will build on the experience gained in Season 6. The team and he will be even better in tune with each other. All this will hopefully lead to even more success on the racetrack.
“As far as the departure of Alexander Sims is concerned, the key thing for me is that we go our separate ways in Formula E by mutual agreement.
“We had two great seasons together. Alexander has matured from a rookie to a winner at BMW i Andretti Motorsport. It was a great pleasure to watch him during his big weekend in Diriyah. We regret that we won’t race together next season, wish him all the best for the next chapter in his Formula E career and look forward to the sporting contest on the track.”