Nikita Bedrin is in the frame for a potential drive at the new Fusion Formula E team and could become the youngest driver on the GEN4 grid.
Similarities between a possible Bedrin promotion to Formula E and the dramatic Formula Renault to F1 transition of Kimi Räikkönen in 2001 would be obvious, with Bedrin’s fast-track mimicking the 2007 World Champions remarkable ascent up the racing ladder.
Räikkönen wowed motorsport in 2001 when he joined the F1 grid withe Sauber in only his third season out of karts. Bedrin has much more experience under his belt in terms of race starts but a jump from GB3 to Formula E in its GEN4 apec is not dissimilar to the Finn’s early career progression.
Bedrin, who could wrap up the GB3 Championship in Barcelona this weekend, is highly rated by Fusion Team Principal, Phil Charles, who gave him his rookie testing chance at DS Penske in 2025.
Formula E Notebook can reveal that Bedrin recently tested the GEN4 Porsche alongside longtime Porsche affiliated driver, David Beckmann, last week. The German is also believed to be in the frame for a possible seat at the new team.
The identity of a teammate to Ayhanchan Guven, who is understood by FEN to be already agreed to drive for Fusion, has been complicated significantly by the recent muddled circumstances around the future of Taylor Barnard.
FEN broke the news yesterday of Barnard’s complex contractual situation with Fortescue Zero, which could drag on for several weeks before an adequate solution is found as the situation could become embroiled in further legalities.
That could open the door for either Bedrin or Guven to at least test at Jarama for Fusion, who may not be in a position to confirm its actual final driver line-up until after the official pre-season test which takes place from November 16-20.
Who is Nikita Bedrin?
Jon Jackson (pictured below) is a journalist and broadcaster working primarily for Talk Sport and has worked in Formula E since 2022. He has followed Bedrin’s GB Championship campaign across all rounds held so far this season, and here outlines why Bedrin could be a key part of the GEN4 era……
You’ll struggle to find a driver with more F3-level experience at the age of 20 than Nikita Bedrin.
When the chequered flag waves for the final time in Barcelona this Sunday, he’ll have competed in 124 races across FIA F3, Formula Regional, Eurocup-3 and GB3 since 2023, and should ultimately be the 2026 GB3 champion.
But is a driver who never quite made the jump to F2 the right choice for a brand-new team entering Formula E at one of the championship’s most pivotal moments? Phil Charles and the brand new Fusion Formula E team think he probably is and we could all be about to find out.
You can’t question Bedrin’s speed. He’s enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, claiming six victories and building an 89-point championship advantage heading into the final weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
He’s already proven he can get a tune out of an electric racing car too. In his third outing with DS PENSKE in Madrid back in March, he finished just 0.034 seconds away from the fastest time, which was set by Mahindra’s Théophile Naël.
Crucially, Charles knows exactly what Bedrin can offer. The former DS PENSKE deputy team principal worked closely with the youngster during his development programme, praising his commitment and progress, particularly through his exhaustive work in the simulator.
The new GEN4 car could also play to Bedrin’s strengths. With more power, higher speeds and greater downforce, the machinery might feel more familiar to a driver with his background. And with everyone learning a completely new car, the playing field could be slightly more level than usual.
Of course, mastering energy management and race strategy is another matter entirely, although GEN4’s ‘unleashed’ format may suit him down to the ground, via his full-on approach.
The obvious comparison is his former Jenzer Motorsport teammate, Taylor Barnard. Since his short-notice debut in Monaco in 2024, Barnard has rewritten Formula E’s age-related record books, finally claiming his maiden victory in London this summer – with Phil Charles helping lead the DS PENSKE team.
It would be a remarkable irony if Bedrin is by proxy almost, let in to Formula E via his former teammate’s contractual situation.
Now Charles could have the opportunity to help another promising youngster follow in his footsteps.
If Taylor can do it, what’s to say Nikita can’t?
