Credit: Sam Bloxham courtesy of FIA Formula E
Ahead of Formula E’s centurion campaign, the all-electric series has undergone the silliest of silly seasons, making for a hugely switched-up grid compared to the most recent season. In total, just three teams have retained their season nine driver line-up, whilst eight have introduced at least one new driver.
Mahindra Racing have been the busiest outfit ahead of pre-season testing next week by signing two completely different drivers for the 2023/24 season, whilst Maserati MSG Racing signed the only rookie of the upcoming campaign.
Nine driver transfers have been completed ahead of the second season of the Gen3 era, with three drivers having returned to a team they’d competed for previously. With enough movement to last several seasons having taken place, it’s going to take a while to get used to the class of season 10.
To help out, here’s a special Motorsport Week guide of every team and their driver pairing for what is set to be another enthralling season of all-electric racing.
Envision Racing
Sébastian Buemi – Retained
Robin Frijns – Moved from ABT CUPRA
Attempting to defend Envision Racing’s Constructors’ Championship in season 10 is Sébastian Buemi and Robin Frijns, with the latter having returned to the Silverstone-based side after leaving at the end of season eight.
Frijns left Envision ahead of the Gen3 era to join the ABT CUPRA Formula E Team; however, he’s decided to return home after one season due to being frustrated by the uncompetitiveness of the Kempten-based side’s package. Whilst he’s a proven race winner for Envision, he’ll possibly need time to adjust to the team’s Jaguar powertrain, having used Mahindra’s at ABT.
On the other side of the garage, season 10 will mark Buemi’s second season with Envision after being retained. After struggling towards the end of the Gen2 era at Nissan, the season two Champion did well in the most recent campaign, where he claimed two pole positions and one podium.
He was often amongst the top-six but rarely in the leading places, something he’ll need to do given who the team have lost.
Credit: Sam Bloxham courtesy of FIA Formula E
Jaguar TCS Racing
Nick Cassidy – Moved from Envision
Mitch Evans – Retained
Envision have lost the ever-impressive Nick Cassidy for season 10, as the Kiwi has switched to Jaguar TCS Racing to form an all-Kiwi partnership with Mitch Evans after replacing Sam Bird.
Having fallen 12 points short of the 2022/23 title, Jaguar have put together arguably the strongest and most in-form driver line-up on the grid, with Cassidy and Evans having finished second and third last season.
Cassidy featured on the rostrum eight times last season, four of which came in the form of victory. He’s progressed every season he’s been in Formula E, a trend Jaguar will be hopeful of continuing. One massive perk for Cassidy is he’s already used to the Jaguar powertrain, which proved to be the best in season nine.
Often on the podium with Cassidy last campaign was Evans, who will compete in an eighth season with the Coventry-based team. He once again fell short of the Drivers’ Championship but picked up seven podiums, three victories and three poles along the way to P3. Evans will be hoping that season 10 is finally his time to claim the crown.
Above: Cassidy (L) and Evans (R) will form an all-Kiwi Jaguar pairing – Credit: Sam Bagnall courtesy of FIA Formula E
Andretti Formula E
Jake Dennis – Retained
Norman Nato – Moved from Nissan
Competing for Andretti Formula E will be reigning World Champion Jake Dennis and Norman Nato, who has moved from Nissan to replace André Lotterer following his retirement from single-seater racing.
Dennis will very much be the team’s leader once again, having fought his way to Drivers’ Championship glory in season nine. On his way to winning the title, the Briton secured a record-breaking 11 podiums, two of which were victories. He’ll be hoping for a similar campaign in season 10, in his pursuit of defending his championship.
Andretti will be hopeful that Nato can support Dennis when needed in their partnership, as Lotterer struggled to even finish in the top-10. Having been released from Nissan, the Frenchman will be eager to make the most of having one of the best seats on the grid, with it very much being his opportunity to show how good he really is.
Above: Nato will partner Dennis in season 10 – Credit: Simon Galloway courtesy of FIA Formula E
TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team
Pascal Wehrlein – Retained
António Félix da Costa – Retained
The TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team are one of three to have retained their most recent driver pairing, with Pascal Wehrlein and António Félix da Costa hoping to bounce back from a disappointing end to last season.
Wehrlein ended up finishing fourth in the season nine Drivers’ Championship, despite having led the majority of the campaign. The German lacked conviction in the second half of the season, which saw him fall behind Dennis, Cassidy and Evans. Should he show a bit more fight, then there’s no reason why he can’t attempt another title challenge.
Da Costa will also be hoping to perform better, having struggled to settle into Porsche at times. His second season with the side should be better, with his real weakness having been qualifying. The Portuguese had great pace in the races usually, something he could rarely fully exploit due to starting from the midfield.
There is no doubting that Porsche have a package good enough to not only fight for but claim the title, with it being down to the drivers to get the most out of it on a more consistent basis.
Above: Wehrlein led the bulk of the championship in season nine – Credit: Simon Galloway courtesy of FIA Formula E
DS Penske
Jean-Éric Vergne – Retained
Stoffel Vandoorne – Retained
DS Penske are the second outfit to have retained their 2022/23 driver pairing, consisting of Jean-Éric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne. Having shone in pre-season last year, DS Penske failed to really take the fight to the Jaguars and the Porsches, something they’ll be hoping will change.
Two-time Champion Vergne was the team’s lead driver last season, with the Frenchman having been responsible for their only victory – claimed in Hyderabad. Vergne was very consistent, which helped him finish fifth in the standings, despite not having a package to compete with the leaders. If more can be extracted, then Vergne will be up there.
Vandoorne is in need of a big season 10, after enduring a miserable defence of his 2021/22 title. He had to settle for 11th and didn’t make a single podium appearance, with his highlight having been pole in São Paulo. However, Vandoorne is a Formula E World Champion for a reason, with DS Penske clearly having the belief that he can turn things around.
Above: DS Penske have retained Vandoorne (L) and Vergne (R) – Credit: Sam Bloxham courtesy of FIA Formula E
Maserati MSG Racing
Maximilian Günther – Retained
Jehan Daruvala – Rookie
Maserati MSG Racing boast one of the youngest driver pairings of season 10, whilst the Monte-Carlo-based team also have the only rookie on the grid. Maximilian Günther has been retained after impressing last season, whilst Jehan Daruvala is making the step up from Formula 2.
Retaining Günther is a very sensible decision by Maserati, given that the German was one of the most in-form drivers in the latter stages of the most recent campaign. Whilst season nine started badly for Günther, he claimed four rostrums in the space of seven races towards the end of the season. If he starts the new season how he ended season nine, then he’s a driver to watch.
Günther is very much the experienced driver at Maserati, as Daruvala has been signed to replace Edoardo Mortara. Signing Daruvala is a bold move by the Italian manufacturer, given how challenging the series is for new drivers.
He’s not a complete Formula E beginner, having been Mahindra’s reserve driver last season, whilst he did well in the Berlin rookie test as well. Moving from F2 is a big step in Daruvala’s career, with Maserati giving him the platform to excel and show his potential on the world stage.
Above: Daruvala (L) is season 10’s only rookie – Credit: Maserati MSG Racing
Nissan Formula E Team
Sacha Fenestraz – Retained
Oliver Rowland – Moved from Mahindra
The Nissan Formula E Team have welcomed back an old friend for season 10, as Oliver Rowland has returned to the Japanese manufacturer, with him partnering the retained Sacha Fenestraz.
Fenestraz enjoyed a solid rookie season and more than deserves a second year with Nissan. His strength during his debut campaign was by far his one-lap pace, something he proved by claiming pole on his fifth appearance in Cape Town. Managing his energy, though, was a weakness and is something he needs to improve on in his sophomore year.
The Frenchman may be able to learn a few things from the experienced Rowland, who has returned to Nissan after replacing Nato. Rowland left Nissan for Mahindra at the end of season seven but is delighted to have come home, after leaving the Indian manufacturer mid-season.
Nissan know what to expect from Rowland and vice versa, with this being the British driver’s chance to reignite his Formula E career. If Nissan can improve their energy efficiency, then Rowland and Fenestraz could do wonders for the side in 2023/24.
Above: Rowland has returned to Nissan after two seasons away from them – Credit: Joe Portlock courtesy of FIA Formula E
NEOM McLaren Formula E Team
Sam Bird – Moved from Jaguar
Jake Hughes – Retained
If Nissan can improve their efficiency, then this will benefit their customer outfit, the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. McLaren have a slightly different line-up for their second campaign in the all-electric series, with Sam Bird having switched from Jaguar. He’s formed an all-British partnership with season nine rookie Jake Hughes, who’s been retained.
Bird’s move to McLaren brought his mixed three-year stint at Jaguar to an end, with it having not really reached the heights that most expected it to. Whilst there is no doubting that Bird is a driver more than capable of finishing on the rostrum, consistency was his issue the last two seasons.
McLaren is a much-needed fresh start for him, as his experience will be invaluable for the Woking-based side. The ex-Jaguar driver replacing René Rast could work massively in Hughes’ favour, as he may be able to learn from Bird’s vast experience in Formula E.
Hughes was very impressive in his debut season and claimed two pole positions, highlighting that one-lap pace isn’t a concern for himself of McLaren. Energy management was a slight issue for the Brit but he should naturally improve on this in season 10.
Above: Bird has joined NEOM McLaren to replace Rast – Credit: McLaren Racing
NIO 333 Racing
Dan Ticktum – Retained
Sérgio Sette Câmara – Retained
The third of the three teams to have retained their season nine driver pairing is NIO 333 Racing, who will field Dan Ticktum and Sérgio Sette Câmara once again. Season 10 will mark Ticktum’s third season with the Chinese outfit, whilst it’ll be Sette Câmara’s second.
Compared to his debut season, Ticktum’s sophomore campaign was a real step in the right direction, with him really having led NIO’s charge to ninth in the Constructors’ Championship. Ticktum was a regular in the duels and more than deserves to be retained. In fact, should he make further progress in season 10, then he might be looking for a more competitive seat.
Season nine was mixed for Sette Câmara, with the Gen3 machinery having arguably taken him longer than most to adjust to. He made just the two appearances in the duels and was often towards the back of the field in the races. The Brazilian is a driver who needs to up his game in the forthcoming season to remain on the grid in season 11.
Above: Ticktum was NIO’s lead driver in 2022/23 – Credit: Sam Bagnall courtesy of FIA Formula E
Mahindra Racing
Edoardo Mortara – Moved from Maserati
Nyck de Vries – Last competed in FE season eight for Mercedes-EQ
Despite a largely miserable start to the Gen3 era, Mahindra Racing have been the busiest team ahead of testing, by signing two new drivers. Edoardo Mortara has moved to Mahindra after leaving Maserati, whilst Nyck de Vries has chosen the Banbury-based side as his preferred destination for his Formula E return.
Mortara’s switch to Mahindra comes after bringing his six-year stint in Monaco at Maserati (formerly Venturi) to an end, with the Swiss driver being keen to start a new chapter. Whilst he was formidable in Gen2, Gen3 started badly for him, with Mahindra’s long-term project giving him the perfect opportunity to bounce back in a new environment.
As for De Vries, he was a wanted man during silly season, but it’s Mahindra’s project which excited him the most, as he looks to put his shocking 10-race AlphaTauri F1 stint behind him. The season seven World Champion is, like Mortara, a natural Formula E race winner who’ll be keen to rediscover his confidence.
Both signed on multi-year contracts, showing their commitment to Mahindra’s future and getting the Indian manufacturer back to the front.
Above: Mortara (L) and De Vries (R) have formed Mahindra’s new driver line-up – Credit: Mahindra Racing
ABT CUPRA Formula E Team
Lucas di Grassi – Moved from Mahindra
Nico Müller – Retained
Mahindra were forced to sign two new drivers rather than just one following Rowland’s mid-season exit because Lucas di Grassi opted to quit also, with him having returned to the ABT CUPRA Formula E Team for season 10 to replace Frijns. The Brazilian will partner Nico Müller, who has been retained by the Kempten-based side.
A pole position and podium in Mexico City was the perfect start to Gen3 for Di Grassi, who’s season spiralled downwards from then onwards. Ultimately, the season three Champion and Mahindra wanted different things, as the driver is reaching the end of his Formula E career, whilst Mahindra are at the start of a new project.
Returning to ABT after two seasons away will still see him driving a Mahindra powertrain, meaning he’s not going to suddenly be competing for the leading places following his move. However, Müller proved last season that ABT can seemingly extract more out of the Mahindra powertrain than the factory side, having scored points in three of the last four races.
Müller being retained by ABT makes complete sense, given just how much progress he made in his returning campaign to the championship. The Swiss driver was slow to get going but was able to extract excellent performances from an underwhelming package. With Di Grassi and Müller, the real goal for ABT is to get off the foot of the standings in season 10.
Above: Di Grassi competed for ABT from season one to the end of season seven – Credit: ABT CUPRA Formula E Team
Keyword: The class of Formula E season 10