Lola partners with Yamaha to compete in Formula E

It is a great name in the history of motor racing that will make its return to competition. The manufacturer Lola Cars has indeed just announced its official participation in the Formula E championship starting from season 11 next year.

The British brand founded by Eric Broadley in 1958 had disappeared in 2012 before being bought out by Till Bechtolsheimer in 2022, with the ambition of competing again in major international championships.

Lola has a significant history in motorsport as the manufacturer based in Silverstone has built nearly 400 models for different categories, whether in Formula 1, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, or in IndyCar. Lola’s last global involvement dates back to the 1997 Australian Grand Prix in Formula 1 where the two Lola T97/30 with Cosworth engines failed to qualify.

For what will be the third year of Gen3 single-seaters, Lola has partnered with Yamaha for the production of its electric powertrain. A new supplier who has already placed engines under the bodywork of competition single-seaters in the past. We notably remember the Arrows-Yamaha that competed in the 1997 F1 championship with a podium in Hungary for world champion Damon Hill.

We are delighted to confirm our entry into Formula E,” said Mark Preston, Competition Director at Lola Cars. For us, it is not just an opportunity to bring Lola back on track, it is also a fantastic technological development platform. This partnership is the first of several projects to restore the British company as a leading industry in sustainable engineering in motorsport, focusing on three areas: electrification, hydrogen, sustainable fuels and materials.

The president of Lola Cars, Till Bechtolsheimer, also spoke in the brand’s statement announcing this commitment to Formula E.

(e) We are incredibly excited to become partners with Yamaha Motor Company as we join the Formula E World Championship. Being chosen by one of the most innovative manufacturers in the world to collaborate on such an important project is a testament to the caliber we have built at Lola. We see the high efficiency of the 350 kW electric motor in Formula E as a technological cornerstone with many applications in motorsport in the coming years.

This season, six powertrain suppliers equip the eleven teams on the FE grid. These are Stellantis (DS Penske and Maserati), Porsche (Porsche and Andretti), Jaguar (Jaguar and Envision), Nissan (Nissan and McLaren), Mahindra (Mahindra and ABT Cupra), and ERT (ERT).

With more than 500 wins over 66 years in the world’s most celebrated championships, Lola has left an indelible mark on racing history. Now we are returning to the pinnacle of motorsport, aiming to drive sustainable success for the legends of the future. pic.twitter.com/GnTCL1hEE0

— Lola Cars (@LolaRacers) March 28, 2024

Looking good @LolaRacers & @yamaha_bike 😮‍💨

Bring on Season 11 💪 pic.twitter.com/rqJSFKazlC

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) March 28, 2024