The grid for the third FIA Formula E season continues to take shape after DS Virgin Racing announced today that Jose Maria Lopez will replace Jean-Eric Vergne, who is headed to the new Techeetah outfit. (See below list of confirmed and suspected driver signings.)

Vergne revealed to Current E at the London 2016 race weekend that he was set to leave DSVR, saying that he would be in a race-winning car for next season. DSVR team principal Alex Tai remained coy when asked about his line-up for season three but it has now been confirmed that two-time WTCC champion Lopez will be joining.

The move had been on the cards since Buenos Aires when Lopez made an surprise appearance at the event. The Argentinian nearly made his debut that very weekend when Vergne was struck down with reported food poisoning and ruled out of the race by Tai. A seat fitting was even carried out for Lopez, before the Frenchman recovered in time for the race. It was all rather curious.

Lopez has raced for Citroen (parent company of DS) in the WTCC series for the past four years, but the French marque is closing down its activities there at the end of this year.

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

Lopez will race alongside Sam Bird, who is set for a third season with Virgin in Formula E.

“This season has been another positive step forward and I really believe that DS Virgin Racing is going places,” Bird said. “We showed consistent pace in the second half of the season and if we can convert that into more race wins, then we should have a car that is capable of challenging for the championship next season. I feel at home with the team and really can’t wait to see what next season has in store.”

Following DSVR’s announcement, Vergne confirmed that he would be racing for Techeetah in 2016-17, via Instagram. Techeetah replaces Team Aguri, which has been rebranded following a takeover by a Chinese investment firm.

“Really happy to announce that I will be driving for the new Techeetah team,” Vergne posted. “Really strong team and car so I’ll be able to fight for more podiums, wins and some more Mumm tasting! Thank you all for your support and see you next season for a really strong one!!”

Vergne will be joined at Techeetah by Ma Qinghua, who raced for Team Aguri from Paris until the end of the season in the lead-up to the takeover.

Formula E season three: The Grid So Far

Renault e.dams: Sebastien Buemi, Nico Prost

ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport: Lucas di Grassi, Daniel Abt

DS Virgin Racing: Sam Bird, Jose Maria Lopez

Faraday Future Dragon Racing: Jerome d’Ambrosio, Loic Duval

Mahindra Racing: Nick Heidfeld (tbc), TBA

Venturi: Stephane Sarrazin (tbc), TBA

MS Amlin Andretti: Robin Frijns (tbc), Antonio Felix da Costa (tbc)

Techeetah: Jean-Eric Vergne, Ma Qinghua

NextEV NEO: Nelson Piquet (tbc), TBA

Jaguar: TBA, TBA

Luke Smith