Amid growing speculation this week, Lola Cars has announced its entry as a manufacturer into the FIA Formula E World Championship from Season 11, in what is being described as a “multi-year technical partnership” with Yamaha.
It is the British-based company’s first foray back into motorsport since being relaunched by businessman and former racing driver, Till Bechtolsheimer, who bought the name and assets of the company in 2022, having been out of business since 2012. In an official statement, Lola stated it is “focusing on sustainable motorsport in three key areas: electrification, hydrogen and sustainable fuels and materials.”
The partnership with Yamaha will see them and the Japanese giants collaborate to build a powertrain, thought to be supplied to an existing team, in time for the start of the series’ GEN3 Evo era commencing from Season 11.
The announcement, which was heavily-rumoured over the the course of this week, comes with a rendering of a current GEN3 car in a concept livery, with the model named the “T-001”.
Mark Preston, former TS Techeetah Team Principal, is Lola’s Motorsport Director. In an official statement, Preston said:
“We are thrilled to confirm our entry in Formula E.
“For us, this is more than just an opportunity to return Lola to the track, it’s also a fantastic platform for technological development.
“Lola Cars has a decorated history of success in chassis and aerodynamic design.
“This project will allow us to create a unique electrified platform with a software focus at its core to provide a basis for Lola’s wider plans in defining the future of motorsport technology.”
CEO Bechtolsheimer said: “We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Yamaha Motor Company as we enter the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
“To be selected by one of the most innovative OEMs in the world to partner on a project of this significance is a testament to the caliber of the team that we have been building at Lola.
“The focus of this project is squarely around technological development in which Lola is fully invested.
“We see the highly efficient 350 kW electric powertrain that underpins the manufacturer’s perimeter in Formula E, as a cornerstone technology with exciting applications across many forms of topflight international motorsport in the coming years.”
Heiji Maruyama, Yamaha’s Managing Executive Officer and Director said:
“Yamaha Motor Company is accelerating the research and development of various technologies that contribute to sustainability.
“As the technical partner, we hope to acquire more advanced energy management technologies through the highest level of electric racing in Formula E.
“We also share Lola’s new philosophy of sustainable motorsport and we are very pleased and honored to form this partnership with them.”
Lola say it is “the first project in the motorsport brand’s bid to re-stablish itself as a leading motorsport design and engineering group.” Founded in 1958 and boasting “nearly 5000 race cars spanning 400 different model types”, with successes in various categories including Le Mans and IndyCar, the choice of Formula E as its first major championship since its relaunch a further boost for the series.
