Former British rally driver Natalie Barratt is the first driver to be announced to join Projekt E.

Natalie Barratt, who competed in 44 FIA World Rally Championship rounds, is the first to be named in the new all-electric rallycross series.

The series will be supporting the FIA World Rallycross Championship with the opening round to be held at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on 16-17 May.

Barratt who will be competing in a STARD-built Ford Fiesta is returning after a break from the sport.

The series has already had commitments from Holten Motorsport and Rallytechnology.

“Projekt E is a fantastic opportunity and I’m hugely grateful to be part of it,” she said.

“I am looking to complete all five rounds – depending on budget. At the moment I am concentrating on getting physically prepared – it’s been a long time since I sat in a race car.

“It’s electric and it’s mind-blowingly fast. What more could you ask for? I’ll be testing the Projekt E race car for the first time later this month.” Barratt added.