Gen4 Latest – Treluyer in at Nissan?
Formula E Notebook has learned that triple Le Mans winner and original Gen3 test and development driver Benoit Treluyer is in line to drive for Nissan at the upcoming Gen4 test at Monteblanco in Spain next month. Treluyer worked primarily for Hankook throughout 2021 and 2022 contributing to the initial development phase of the Gen3 car.
Porsche is set to use one of its race drivers, while Jaguar could utilise recently confirmed reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne. Lola and Stellantis is likely to use one of its race drivers, meaning that all five manufacturer cars are excepted to run at the three day test which is being operationally run by the teams with the FIA and Formula E execs in attendance.
Speculation that only one of the manufacturers will use its actual Gen4 powertrain in the cars is believed to be reasonably accurate with FEN learning that Jaguar is expected to be that marque.
A plan to control the ultimate speed of the cars is known to have been resisted by at least one of the manufacturers (presumed to be Jaguar) for the test which will see initial reliability running for the registered manufacturers. FEN understands a chicane will be inserted at the Monteblanco track for at least some of the test.
The other four manufacturers, distinct of Jaguar, are understood by FEN to run with hybrid powertrains with Gen4 main cases but some Gen3 hardware within them. Private manufacturer testing of the new-look car is eligible to take place from 1st January.
Porsche’s Florian Modlinger told FEN that he expected to see a variety of solutions at the test which starts on the week beginning 10th November.
“I think that’s depending on the strategy of the manufacturers,” he said. “You can do both, you can have a mix in the car, you can have already the Gen4 powertrain equipped. But maybe we also see on the mileage each manufacturer just what they can do there. If they are already with the new parts in or if they do a mix and try to get the common parts sorted. I think there you will see different approaches.”
Formula E is rumoured to be close to releasing fresh teasers of the Gen4 car ahead of the full unveiling which is provisionally pencilled in for next April.
Envision Racing is still weighing up its manufacturer partner for the Gen4 era despite paddock rumours erroneously (guilty as charged and sorry Sylvain!) stating a deal is already agreed with its present supplier Jaguar.
Team boss Sylvain Filippi told FEN last week that the decision is still being assessed and that “discussions are ongoing, things are closer but not done yet at all.”
“The Gen4 technical program is advancing at a good speed. But there are still a lot of things that are not in place. So, we need the FIA to confirm all the rules of engagement between the manufacturers and teams. Without that, we can’t really do anything anyway,” concluded Filippi.
Big Plans for Berlin?
Formula E is looking at amplifying its races at Berlin Tempelhof in April to increase the ticket sales and footfall at the event which has been an ever-present on the calendar apart from a brief flirtation with downtown Berlin in 2016.
Details on provisional plans are scarce but are understood by FEN to include a festival or significant EV demonstration area at the site. Formula E held a similar initiative for two seasons in 2019 with Nico Rosberg fronting a Greentech Festival at the Tempelhof site. The Berlin EPrix is pencilled in for the weekend of May 2/3, 2026.
Testing Reaction/News/Opinions
“I think they’re all sandbagging,” was Mahindra boss Frederic Bertrand’s jokey response to the question of if games were being played at the Valencia test last week.
Mahindra impressed many with their pace in both 300 and 350kW power with Edoardo Mortara topping the times overall, leading two sessions and ‘winning’ the ‘race’ on Tuesday afternoon before being penalised.
“I think in general what is important here is to make sure we are as ready as we can for (Sao Paulo),” added Bertrand. “On our side, we feel happy with what has been done and we feel happy that it comes to reality.
“Now, what the others are doing, I have no idea to be honest. I just concentrate on what we are doing and make sure that we are doing things properly.
“What is never bad is to give maximum confidence to the drivers. We managed to keep the same line-up, managed to keep the same team around the drivers. That created a good environment for their confidence level. So, let’s make sure that now we give them the best car so that we can deliver the best driving. And hopefully, we will see where we go.”
Reigning champion Oliver Rowland reacted like this when FEN asked if, going for a rare back-to-back title push he was worried about having a target on his back for the season ahead.
“Look, Formula E changes a lot every race, and each race is different with energy management and stuff like that,” said the Nissan driver.
“I think what was bit tricky for me at the end of last year was obviously the race craft was quite aggressive, let’s say, and mine in particular. But when I had a championship to lose, people would race me almost harder than usual, because they knew I was the one that was more likely to back out more often than not.
“So, I think I’m quite looking forward to not having those thoughts in my mind and just going racing and racing properly.”
New CUPRA Kiro team principal Russell O’Hagan told FEN last week in Valencia that his promotion to his new position had been something that had been discussed for some time with former TP Alex Hui, who was on site in Valencia, and who will now move to a more roving management role.
“In terms of my position, it’s something Alex and I have been discussing over multiple years on whether the timing would be right,” said O’Hagan.
“The company’s gone through lots of different elements over the last few years, and now we’ve kind of come into this year an area of stability like last year when my resource was best focused on the firefighting of like getting the project together on time, transitioning from a manufacturer to a customer team.”
New Jaguar TCS Racing reserve Stoffel Vandoorne revealed to FEN that he had previously talked to Jaguar about a move as a race driver back in what was presumed to be 2023 when then as reigning champion the Belgian moved from Mercedes EQ to DS Penske.
“(Jaguar race director) Gary (Ekerold) and I have been talking for years already,” said Vandoorne.
“Let’s say like there was always interest from the team, there was interest from me as well to work together. A couple of years ago, the timings didn’t align as the contracts weren’t kind of running out in the right space, and now I guess kind of the stars aligned a little bit and we made it happen.”
Taylor Barnard shook up the establishment in Formula E last season with some strong results but equally noticeable was his aggressive and decisive manner in which he achieved it. FEN understands that some of this is highlighted in the upcoming second series of the Formula E documentary ‘Driver’ where some of his competitors are critical of his arms out style.
His new team principal Phil Charles told FEN last week that he believes Barnard is firm but fair, saying that Barnard was “a very competitive, and spirited driver” and that “it’s very simple and square for him, he says ‘I’m racing you hard, I’m racing you fair, but I’m racing you hard.’
“It’s as simple as that. Maybe some people might think of it as very blunt because he’s just very direct, like that. He’s really a super nice lad, but when in the car he does his thing and I like that about him.”
Both Pascal Wehrlein and team boss Florian Modlinger spoke to FEN about the integration of new driver Nico Mueller in to the team for this season. The Swiss driver has moved across from Andretti to become Wehrlein’s third team mate since he joined in 2020.
Describing the relationship he expects between the drivers at Porsche, Modlinger said that: “When I go back and remember the first season and the first meetings and dinners with Antonio (Felix da Costa) and Pascal together it was also nice, it was a nice experience to learn from each other, to get to know each other and we had good times there. But you need to see how the relationships evolves, it’s not consistent from day one to the last day and it’s a process I’m very analytical of.”
Wehrlein meanwhile, when asked how the ambience in the team appears to him this season compared to last, he succinctly replied “calmer”.
Modlinger also confirmed to FEN that Robert Sattler will engineer Pascal Wehrlein this season after Fabrice Roussel left the team to join a WEC manufacturer recently.
“He just started, and he’s a good fit for us,” said Modlinger. “The experience he brings with him to the team and the experience he has made in different categories and also in Formula E, I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Citroen Racing, despite not having the MSG moniker in its naming title, will still be operational via Monaco for S12 in order to not disturb too much the start of the season and Gen4 preparation. The assumption is then that Stellantis Motorsport’s Satory base will become much more the headquarters for the Gen4 period and beyond.
A full analysis and explainer of the Valencia test week is available at The Race website featuring further comments from key figures in the paddock. Click HERE to read.
New Engineer for the Champ
Oliver Rowland will work with a new engineer this season after a reshuffle in the French based, Japanese entered team for the new season. Richard Monin, (former Sebastien Loeb Racing engineer) will step up from his tyre engineer management role (from 2022) to replace Johann Aime who has been promoted to the role of chief engineer.
Additionally, Nissan has reinforced the team with a senior strategist from MSG, while a senior system engineer is believed to have been recruited from an F1 team. A further senior higher is also expected soon although this will not be a direct replacement for ex technical director Theophile Gouzin who will join Jaguar at the end of 2025.
Commercial agreement agreed, or not agreed?
A Formula E Teams and Manufacturers association meeting sat at Valencia last week with a key agenda point being the ongoing discussion regarding the commercial agreement and specific financial plans around many aspects of the Gen4 rules set.
“There’s been a lot of discussion, very positive discussion between us and Formula E,” FETAMA chair, Roger Griffiths told FEN. “I think understanding how many participants there are going to be in Gen4 is a key one for us, because that has a huge bearing on things like franchise value, prize money, the commercial aspects.
“Also, what has Formula E got in mind in terms of the growth of the championship and how does that reflect on us as the competitors?“
FEN understands that there is still a lot of work to be done around the various contracts between the FIA single suppliers and the competitors, to understand the terms and conditions around the supply of some Gen4 components and what that means financially.
Remembering A Year On
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship pays tribute to the victims and communities affected by the devastating floods in Valencia one year ago.
Formula E announced on Wednesday a €25,000 donation to Solidaridad Sobre Ruedas (SSR) through its Better Futures Fund.
The Circuit Ricardo Tormo is home to its Technical and Logistics Hub and Formula E aims to continue to help strengthen the Valencia region’s resilience and support the affected communities.
Miscellaneous extraneous…
2024 Le Mans 24 Hours winner and one of Spain’s most successful professional racing driver, Miguel Molina, was at Valencia last week. The factory Ferrari driver is believed to be catching up with contacts in the industry via his new branding and marketing business, ROGO Motorsport Agency.
New Citroen driver Nick Cassidy will begin the season being engineered by Pierre-Paul Frey before he is likely reunited with his former Jaguar charge Geoffrey Lenfant, who is anticipated to start at the team in early 2026.
FEN understands that long-standing managing director of Lola Car, Michael Wilson, has left the British constructor. A replacement for Wilson, who previously worked at HWA and AER, joined Lola in 2022 when it was acquired by Till Bechtolsheimer. A replacement for Wilson is expected to be announced shortly.
FEN issued a preview film last Wednesday touching on some key points for the season ahead. Similar films at each race are planned for the whole of the 2025-26 season. A women’s test summary piece will also be released this coming Monday and be available on Instagram.
FEN is delighted to announce that founding partners RaceOn GmbH and AVL Racetech have renewed their support for the 2025-26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season. Additional opportunities for partners exist within FEN and you can request more information by contacting commercial manager Andy Stobart HERE.
Photos thanks to Spacesuit Media, Formula E and Andi Biel.
