Formula E: Yamaha Teams Up with Lola Cars to Develop Powertrains for Electric Racing Series
Lola is gearing up with Yamaha for its motorsport comeback with notable recent hires, including Mark Preston and Keith Smout, both pivotal members of the championship-winning Formula E team Techeetah.
By Divyam Dubey
The next Formula E season will see Yamaha return to international car racing for the first time after their Formula 1 programme ended in 1997. Yamaha will collaborate with the British engineering firm Lola to support the latter's upcoming venture into Formula E. Together, Yamaha and Lola will develop a competitive powertrain to compete in Formula E in season 11. This marks Lola's return to motorsport after being revived in 2022 under the leadership of Till Bechtolsheimer. The revelation, which has been the subject of much speculation throughout the week, includes a glimpse into the future in the form of a concept livery on the current GEN3 vehicle model, called the "T-001."
Mark Preston, Motorsport Director, Lola Cars Ltd, 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. The partnership is the first of several major projects planned to re-establish the British company as an industry leader in sustainable engineering and motorsport, strategically focusing on three areas of electrification, hydrogen and sustainable fuels and materials.'
Heiji Maruyama, Managing Executive Officer and Director, Yamaha Motor Co. ltd., 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 honoured to form this partnership with them.'
About Lola Cars
Lola has won more than 500 championships worldwide, since 1958, across various championships like Formula One, Le Mans, and IndyCar. Famous drivers associated with the brand include Graham Hill, Nigel Mansell, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Eddie Cheever, and Arie Luyendyk. The decision to enter Formula E is a strategic step by Lola to reassert itself as a leading force in motorsport engineering and design.
Bechtolsheimer and his staff have been building the programme in the new global headquarters in Silverstone, UK, since the purchase of Lola Cars in 2022. Lola has a long history of producing winning client racing cars, and this project aims to further that legacy.
The partnership with Yamaha further strengthens Lola Cars' significant impact in Japan. Lola has enjoyed a long-standing association with Japanese racing, especially in the now-defunct Japanese Super Formula Championship.
Over two decades, Lola clinched an impressive thirteen championships, starting in 1987 when the series was known as the All Japan F3000. Moreover, Lola's prowess extends to Formula 1, IndyCar, and Le Mans, with legendary cars produced in collaboration with Japanese manufacturers.
