The new Fusion Formula E entry is likely to run recently crowned GB3 champion Nikita Bedrin alongside the already signed Ayhancan Guven at the Jarama tests next week.
But Bedrin is unlikely to actually race for the team, as it is believed to be planning on signing Taylor Barnard to race alongside Guven. But that is dependent on if and when Barnard can extricate himself from his already signed contract with Fortescue Zero.
The on-going controversy on whether Barnard can backdown from his contractual commitments with the Australian team will ultimately dictate Fusion’s driver plans, which are believed to include Barnard joining the already signed Ayhancan Guven, should the winner of the last E-Prix become available.
Bedrin could also share the second Fusion cockpit with Porsche driver David Beckmann at Jarama. Formula E Notebook understands that the former CUPRA Kiro driver shook down one of the Porsche 975 RSE cars yesterday at Weissach, Porsche’s own test track near Stuttgart, where Bedrin and Guven also undertook laps.
But Fusion may still be holding out to run Barnard in a Porsche at Jarama next week should the legalities of his Fortescue Zero contract be unravelled in the coming days.
Speaking to FEN last week, Bedrin said that he was ready for a Formula E chance should he get one with Fusion for 2027.
‘I’m really hoping for it but I don’t think it’s much up to me right now,” said Bedrin.
“But I’m doing my best. Of course, the test we’ve done wasn’t ideal because we barely got any driving, basically. But of course, that’s our main priority right now, and hopefully we can get it done.
“I think I’ve been doing a very good job in the previous years with the team and showing what I’m capable of. So hopefully it works out.”
Barnard situation coming to a head
FEN understands that a resolution to the Barnard and Fortescue Zero contractual controversy is coming to a head and that the driver could be free to move to the Fusion team but potentially only by the end of 2026.
However, an appearance at the Jarama test next week with Fusion is believed to be unlikely, as complex legal discussions between the two entities continue.
With Guven confirmed, although awaiting absolute clearance from the FIA on his e-licence status, Fusion are planning to have Bedrin and possibly Beckmann sharing a Porsche at Jarama next week.
Should Barnard not be able to test at Jarama, and with race cars being sent to Mexico City for what will become the first round of the first GEN4 era in January, he will very likely not get any experience of a GEN4 car until he takes part in free practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, should he join Fusion.
The FIA’s Pablo Martino, who could lead a kind of arbitration, under Article 9.2 of the world championship’s ‘General Provisions’ should it be needed told FEN yesterday that “on the Taylor Banner situation, it’s something that it’s on the way to being resolved between the different parties, and we are not taking any action on our side at this stage.”
That would indicate that a mutual agreement between Fortescue Zero and Barnard/his management is likely to be resolved in the coming weeks.
