Sebastien Buemi linked with surprise Formula E comeback at Fortescue Zero

Could Sebastien Buemi make a surprise return to a full-time Formula E race seat after all? The Season 2 champion had been set to take on an advisory role with Envision Racing following the London E-Prix. However, the Swiss driver is now being linked with a Gen4 seat at Fortescue Zero.

In mid-August, Envision Racing announced that it would replace both of its full-time drivers for the Gen4 era. While Joel Eriksson is leaving the team, Buemi was set to remain involved as an advisor and development driver. For the now 37-year-old, that appeared to bring his 12-year career as a Formula E race driver to an end.

Jim Wright to lead Fortescue Zero as team principal

The former DS Penske team is currently undergoing a restructuring following its takeover by Fortescue Zero and will be led by Jim Wright. Wright has already gained Formula E experience with Virgin, Mahindra, Venturi and Andretti. Before that, he worked for Williams and Scuderia Toro Rosso in Formula 1.

British driver Taylor Barnard is already being regarded as a likely part of the team's driver line-up, although an official announcement has yet to be made. According to FE Notebook, Buemi is among the leading candidates for the second Fortescue Zero seat. Talks between the two parties are reportedly ongoing, although no agreement has yet been reached. The team is also considering other options alongside the Swiss driver.

Why Buemi could be attractive to Fortescue Zero

Barnard may already be heading into his third Formula E season, but Buemi has experience across every generation of car used in the championship. One open question would be what happens to his planned advisory and development role with the other Jaguar customer team Envision Racing. It is currently unclear whether that position could be combined with a full-time race seat at Fortescue Zero.

Buemi would also bring another advantage to Fortescue Zero. The Swiss driver not only knows the Jaguar powertrain from his four years with Envision Racing, but was also able to test Jaguar's Gen4 development car earlier this year. That experience could prove particularly valuable as the newly restructured team prepares for the start of the Gen4 era.

A deal is far from certain at this stage, however. Should Fortescue Zero decide to sign Buemi, his apparent farewell as a Formula E race driver would have turned out to be a remarkably short one.