Credit: Simon Galloway courtesy of FIA Formula E
André Lotterer has officially confirmed that his career in both Formula E and single-seater racing in general is over, with the German set to prioritise his Porsche commitments in the World Endurance Championship.
After spending the past 26 years in single-seater racing, Lotterer feels that the time is now right to embark on a new adventure, meaning that, as expected, Andretti Formula E have a new driver to find for season 10.
Lotterer’s departure from Formula E was known for a little while, with reigning Formula 2 Champion Felipe Drugovich having been the favourite for the seat. However, Nissan departee Norman Nato is now reportedly leading the chase for one of the best cockpits on the grid.
Whilst season nine was bitterly disappointing for Lotterer, he’s enjoyed a glittering single-seater career, which started by claiming the Formula BMW Junior Championship in 1998. He was victorious again in 1999, this time in the Formula BMW ADAC series. His next title came in Japan in 2006, when he claimed his first of two Super GT titles, the other coming in 2009.
The 41-year-old spent a significant amount of time racing in Japan, both in Super GT and in the Formula Nippon series, which became known as Super Formula in 2013. He narrowly missed out on the championship several times, but was victorious in 2011.
Prior to his move to Porsche, Lotterer was a key part of Audi’s WEC programme, to the extent that he won the Le Mans 24 Hours twice with the German manufacturer. Lotterer won at Le Mans with Audi in back-to-back years, in 2011 and 2012. He was also part of the winning team of the WEC in 2012, Lotterer’s most recent title triumph.
In 2014, Lotterer made his one and only Formula 1 start for Caterham at the Belgian Grand Prix, although it ended in retirement on the opening lap due to an electrical problem.
The Duisburg-born driver made the switch to Formula E in season four (2017/18) with Techeetah and claimed two podiums in his rookie campaign. He remained with the side for season five, with the addition of DS. Lotterer claimed a further two podiums and his first pole position, which came in Rome.
Above: Lotterer claimed his first Formula E podium (P2) at the season four Santiago E-Prix – Credit: Sam Bloxham courtesy of FIA Formula E
Season six saw him switch to the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, where he stayed for three seasons. In that time, the German achieved four podiums and one pole position, before moving to Andretti for the start of the Gen3 era. 2023 was miserable for Lotterer, who salvaged just five top-10 finishes.
He was nevertheless a terrific competitor who was often one of the hardest drivers to overtake, something Formula E will remember him for. Lotterer took to social media to reveal that his single-seater career is over, whilst he also shared how “extremely grateful” he is to have competed in the all-electric series.
“Got some news to share with you. It’s time for me to close a 26 year chapter of single seater racing!” Lotterer revealed on Instagram.
“I have decided not to race anymore in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to fully focus on my challenge with @porschepenskemotorsport team to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans (for the 4th time) and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
“It has been a great ride racing in Formula BMW & Formula Renault to Formula 3, Champ Car, Formula Nippon, Super Formula, Formula 1 and finally the Formula E family which I joined at the start of Season 4 back in 2017.
“I would like to thank the people that helped me join this innovative and exciting Championship; Leo Thomas, Julian & Alexander Jakobi, JEV & the Techeetah team! The adventures together were great! A big thanks to TAG Heuer Porsche FE too who gave me the opportunity to lead the team into their Formula E debut in Season 6!
“Last but not least, my engineer Fabrice Roussel who has shown amazing support since the beginning and all the way through the three Formula E teams, and the Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team for trusting me during Season 9.
“I would like to personally thank Alejandro Agag, his team & the FIA for creating Formula E, it has been a fantastic journey and you have changed many of our lives. Formula E has been the most challenging and fun Championship I have competed in!
“I am extremely grateful & proud to have raced in Formula E, promoting all the sustainable technologies and for meeting the amazing people in this paddock, a few of which have become my best friends today.
“Thank you all for the amazing support all those years.”
Keyword: Lotterer says goodbye to Formula E and single-seater racing