Indycar driver Sting Ray Robb is testing for the Lola Yamaha team this week and is understood to be interested in racing in Formula E for the Gen4 period.
Formula E Notebook has learned that Robb, who has four Indycar campaigns under his belt with Dale Coyne, AJ Foyt, and present team Juncos Hollinger, is taking part in the Gen4 development car test in southern Spain.
Lola has two seats available for the coming season after the retirement of Lucas di Grassi and the defection of Zane Maloney to Nissan. It recently also tested Dan Ticktum and is known to be in discussions with several other drivers too.
The team had been in close talks with Robert Shwartzman and Victor Martins, but it remains unclear if those negotiations are still ongoing. Shwartzman recently signed a deal with Stellantis Motorsport to be a Peugeot WEC driver in 2027 but still take part in a double programme.
Robb’s test is not believed to be a clear indicator that he will race in Formula E, with FEN understanding that he is still prioritising trying to stay in Indycar next season. He has been a substantially well-backed driver in previous seasons mainly through charitable and religious aligning with Robb’s public Christian faith and platform.
Lola are also completing far-ranging changes to its team as it transitions from the ABT affiliated operational structure it has employed since it entered Formula E at the end of 2024.
Its deputy team principal Frederic Esponos left the team at the end of August, while its Operations Manager, David Clarke left recently to start a new position with the Garage 59 business that runs two McLaren LMGT3 cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Lola is recruiting new staff and also investing in new and young engineering talent after moving in to new premises at Silverstone earlier this month.
What chance of an American driver for Gen4?
The last American driver to compete in Formula E was Oliver Askew when he completed the final Gen2 season for Andretti in 2022. He was one of only four that have taken part in the all-electric series, with the other three being Matthew Brabham, Marco Andretti and Scott Speed, although they only mustered seven races between them in the first season of 2014-15.
Now, with two races in the U.S at Miami ana Austin and with two U.S flagged teams – Andretti and CUPRA KIRO, an emphasis on trying to get an American back on to the grid is being looked at by some teams.
As well as Sting Ray Robb, other possibilities may include Jak Crawford and Nolan Siegel, both of whom are probably looking for next phases of their respective careers.
Crawford tested on several occasions for Andretti between 2023 and 2025 and was thought of highly at the that team. But he and his management have elected this season to be a test and reserve driver at the Aston Martin F1 squad. This is believed to be another option for him in 2027, although potentially in conjunction with a race programme where possible.
That is unlikely to be Formula E at this stage because a number of clashes, with six in total likely making a joint F1 testing and FE campaign difficult.
Nolan Siegel is believed to be searching for a chance to continue in Indycar for 2027 after effectively losing his seat at Arrow McLaren to last May’s Indy 500 winner Felix Rosenqvist.
Siegel could choose Formula E and like Robb, comes with budgetary advantages for teams.
