---
title: "Jose Maria Lopez confirmed at DS Virgin"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2016/07/07/jose-maria-lopez-confirmed-ds-virgin/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Connor McDonagh"
section: "Formula E"
published: "2016-07-07T09:25:27Z"
modified: "2016-07-07T09:25:27Z"
---

# Jose Maria Lopez confirmed at DS Virgin

DS Virgin have confirmed Jose María López will partner Sam Bird for season three of Formula E.

Lopez will replace the departing Jean-Eric Vergne who is likely to sign for the newly-named Techeetah team.

The 33-year-old has a wealth of experience in the World Touring Car Championship and has won the last two titles.

Lopez raced in GP2 in 2005 and 2006 and was Renault Formula One team’s test driver.

Bird will remain with DS Virgin for a third consecutive season after finishing fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, taking one victory in Buenos Aires.

“This is a really exciting move for me and I’m looking forward to the challenge of Formula E with DS Virgin Racing,” Lopez said.

“I have already had some experience working with the DS Performance team on the season three car, so I am confident that we can achieve great things together next season. As a championship, Formula E is going from strength to strength and I’m particularly looking forward to going back to Buenos Aires where the team had such great success last season!”

Season three testing in Formula E begins on August 23 at Donington Park.