Storied racing brand Lola is partnering with Yamaha Motor Co. to develop and race in the Formula E … [+] series starting with Season 11 in 2025.
One of the most storied racing brands in history is set to join the Formula E grid.
Lola Cars has announced that with technical partnering from Yamaha Motor Company they will join the all-electric global racing series for Season 11 which starts in 2025. The multi-year agreement will see Yamaha develop and supply the powertrain.
Established in 1958, Lola was a driving force in nearly all disciplines of auto racing with more than 500 championship wins globally ranging from F1, LeMans, IndyCar, and more with drivers such as Graham Hill, Eddie Cheever, Mario Andretti, Al Unser, Arie Luyendyk and Nigel Mansell to name just a few. Lola is using the entrance into Formula E as a way to reestablish itself as a leading motorsport design and engineering group.
“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, said Mark Preston, Motorsport Director, for Lola Cars. “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.”
Lola said they will be focusing on sustainable motorsport in three key areas: electrification, hydrogen and sustainable fuels and materials.
Heiji Maruyama, the Managing Executive Officer and Director for Yamaha Motor Co. said that they are 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,” Maruyama said. “We also share Lola’s new philosophy of sustainable motorsport and we are very pleased and honored to form this partnership with them.”
Details of the team such as drivers and team principal are expected later this year and were not announced.
Till Bechtolsheimer took over Lola Cars as Chairman in 2022 with the company establishing its global headquarters in Silverstone, UK saying that the company is extremely excited to be partnering with the Yamaha Motor Company and entering Formula E.
“The focus of this project is squarely around technological development in which Lola is fully invested,” said Bechtolsheimer. “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.”
