Lola to make huge return to motorsport in Formula E with ABT

A name that was ever-present in motorsport from the 1960s right through until the 2000s, Lola has chalked up more than 500 championship wins in its history across various disciplines from Formula 1 to Formula 5000 and most recently sportscars. Its last single-seater effort was the ill-fated F1 programme that came to a disastrous end without starting a race in 1997.

Now it will return in 2025 as a developer and supplier of electric powertrains for the ABT Formula E team, as one of several planned ventures between the two brands. In a bid to re-establish itself as a major motorsport player, the brand will focus its efforts in three areas over the coming years: electrification, hydrogen and sustainable fuels.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with ABT as we bring the technology we’ve developed with Yamaha Motor to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship," said Till Bechtolsheimer, Chairman of Lola Cars Ltd.

"It’s exciting to be working with a team that has so much history and success in the sport. Operating factory-backed programmes is ABT’s bread and butter and their experience in Formula E will give us a critical leg up. We look forward to developing our relationship within and beyond the electric racing series.”

The ABT team competed in its 100^th Formula E race at the season opener in Mexico City this season, the tuning and motorsport company is currenly racing under the Cupra brand, and has racked up more than 47 podiums during its years in the sport.

"We are delighted to have found two such renowned partners for our future in Formula E,” said ABT CEO and Team Principal Thomas Biermaier. “Of course, it will be a big challenge for a new manufacturer to enter and establish itself in a world championship. But during our discussions and negotiations over the past few months, we have clearly sensed how skilled, motivated and determined Lola and Yamaha are to make this project a success – just like every member of our team.”

Plans to enter Formula E are advanced, with development of the new 350kW powertrain seemingly already underway ahead of joining the grid next season, which will be the first to run with the new Gen3 Evo car.

We’ve even been given a preview of what a new Lola car might look like with a striking blue and yellow livery.

“We are thrilled to confirm our entry in Formula E,” said Mark Preston, Motorsport Director, Lola Cars Ltd. “For us, this is more than just an opportunity to return Lola to the track, it’s also a fantastic platform for technological development.”

Till Bechtolsheimer, Chairman, Lola Cars Ltd added: “We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the Yamaha Motor Company as we enter the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. To be selected by one of the most innovative OEMs in the world to partner on a project of this significance is a testament to the calibre of the team that we have been building at Lola.”

The addition of the Lola-Yamaha partnership to the Formula E grid comes as Nissan announces its commitment to Formula E’s Gen4 generation which will run until 2030, as Formula E battles to maintain its relevance among its roster of manufacturers that includes Maserati, Cupra, Jaguar, Porsche and DS.

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."