Gutierrez, who started for Sauber in 2013/14 and for Haas in 2016, will drive the LMP2 ORECA-Gibson 07 from Inter Europol together with team regulars Alex Brundle and Kuba Smiechowski in the WEC with six laps.
The Mexican is returning to active competition for the first time since 2017 after focusing on his four seasons at Mercedes, which stood between F1 and Formula E.
He replaces Renger van de Zande, who was with Brundle and Smiechowski in last year’s WEC.
Gutierrez (30) said: “It is an honor for me to return to racing in this competitive and prestigious series.
“Endurance races are a new challenge for me, [so] I will focus on learning as much as I can and as quickly as possible.
“Thank you to the team for the opportunity to let me drive together with Kuba Smiechowski and Alex Brundle: With the progress of the team and our common ambition, I am confident that we will be an excellent team.”
# 34 Inter Europol Competition Oreca 07 – Gibson LMP2: Jakub Smiechowski, Renger Van der Zande, Alex Brundle
Photo by: Inter Europol competition
Team manager Sascha Fassbender added: “With Esteban on the team, we have a strong line-up to achieve our ambitions.
“I look forward to working together to achieve great things this season.”
Brundle, who signed a new two-year deal with Euro Interpol late last year, described Gutierrez’s appointment as “proof of the team’s strength”.
Gutierrez was supposed to enter the P2 prototype ranks with the DragonSpeed team for the 2018/19 WEC super season.
He was announced as a driver for the American contestant’s P2 ORECA but decided to retire late before being hired by Mercedes.
Gutierrez was initially involved in his simulator programs before becoming his official reserve for Mercedes.
After his super license expired, he was appointed brand ambassador for the German manufacturer at the beginning of last year.
At the end of 2019, it was expanded to include a reserve and development function with FE operations.
The 30-year-old tested an ORECA P2 for the Prema Powerteam at the end of last year when he began to re-explore the possibilities of sports cars.
