Andretti Autosport has called up Formula 2 graduate David Beckmann to run in his first Formula E race at the Jakarta E-Prix next weekend.
Avalanche Andretti Formula E has now officially announced that David Beckmann, a reserve driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team will replace André Lotterer at the Jakarta E-Prix next weekend.
This comes after rumors that Lotterer will be replaced in Jakarta had been circulating recently. His scheduled tests with the Porsche LMDh team in advance of the forthcoming Le Mans 24 Hours will be the reason for the young German’s Formula E debut.
Andretti was aware that Lotterer would not be racing in Jakarta given Lotterer’s priorities to race in the endurance series lay this year.
Former podium finisher in Formula 2, Beckmann moved to Andretti’s Formula E team last year and has stayed close to the American team this year because Andretti is a Porsche customer team.
Beckmann’s Formula E debut will serve as something of an audition to potentially partner Jake Dennis in Season Ten because Lotterer is anticipated to concentrate only on sports cars next year.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity to step in for Andre and represent the Andretti FE team in Jakarta,” said Beckmann.
“FE is an incredibly competitive championship, and I’m excited to showcase my capabilities in this unique racing series.
“I would like to thank Michael Andretti and the team for trusting me with this responsibility… I’m going to give my best to achieve a successful outcome for everyone involved.”
From 2018 through 2020, Beckmann raced in GP3 and FIA Formula 3, winning five races and finishing fifth overall in the championship in his rookie year. His impressive performance moved him up to F2 in 2021.
The German raced under Charouz Racing System and finished on the podium in Bahrain in his debut race, and added a second podium in Baku. But after four rounds, due to financial constraints, he was compelled to leave.
He later raced under Campos Racing round by round at Monza and Sochi before quitting F2 once more and finishing 15th in the standings despite missing two events.
Beckmann made a comeback to F2 with Charouz at Imola last year to fill in for the injured Cem Bolukbasi, and Van Amersfoort Racing then summoned him up to take Amaury Cordeel’s spot in Silverstone.
Jake Hughes, the other driver for VAR, was then disqualified for two rounds due to a positive COVID-19 test; Beckmann filled in for him during those two rounds; following that, Hughes quit F2, allowing Beckmann to drive for three additional races.
Jota Sport hired Beckmann to drive its LMP2 car in the first two World Endurance Championship races before it received receipt of its Porsche hypercar, and he also joined the team as the FE reserve for 2023.
In the Sebring 1000 Miles, Beckmann and his teammates finished seventh overall and first in their class; they then placed sixth in the Portimao Six Hours.
In Jakarta, where Andretti will keep battling for the top three spots in the Constructors’ Championship, Team Principal Roger Griffiths feels that Beckmann is a “excellent replacement” for Lotterer.
“David has proven himself as a highly talented driver and we are delighted to welcome him back into the team for the Jakarta E-Prix,” said Griffiths.
“He was part of the team in Season 8 as the official reserve driver and he has not only demonstrated his capabilities during the Berlin Rookie Test, but also throughout the Porsche Motorsport development activities.
“He will be an excellent replacement for the double-header weekend… We knew from the outset that André’s priorities lay within Porsche’s LMDh sportscar squad and were therefore supportive of his commitments outside of Formula E.
“David’s experience in both single-seater championships and as both the team’s and TAG Heuer Porsche’s Reserve and Development Driver will undoubtedly contribute to his seamless transition into the Formula E environment.
“We have full confidence in his ability to represent the team and have no doubt that he will make the most of this opportunity, contributing to our continued success in the championship.”
