The 2024-25 Formula E season is ready to ignite with the São Paulo opener marking the dawn of the Gen3 Evo era. While the silly season wasn’t as chaotic as last year, the driver market saw its share of surprises, with three new names joining the championship and only four teams retaining unchanged line-ups. Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of the grid, which features eight former champions among its ranks.
Jaguar: Nick Cassidy, Mitch Evans
Fresh off winning the 2024 teams’ and manufacturers’ titles, Jaguar’s Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans return for another shot at elusive drivers’ championships. Despite both coming heartbreakingly close in 2024, the New Zealand duo remains intact, hungry to capitalize on their impressive performances from last season.
Porsche: Pascal Wehrlein, Antonio Felix da Costa
Porsche keeps its powerhouse pairing of Pascal Wehrlein and Antonio Felix da Costa for a third consecutive year. Wehrlein defends his drivers’ title after triumphing in a tense three-way battle in 2024. Meanwhile, da Costa, who seemed destined to leave mid-season, earned a one-year reprieve after a spectacular run of four wins in five races. However, this season may mark the end of his Porsche tenure.
DS Penske: Jean-Eric Vergne, Maximilian Guenther
Jean-Eric Vergne, Formula E’s only two-time champion, stays with DS Penske, but his championship-winning partnership with Stoffel Vandoorne is no more. Maximilian Guenther, a proven race-winner with Maserati, joins the team in a trade between Stellantis brands. Guenther brings victories from Jakarta and Tokyo over the past two seasons.
Andretti: Jake Dennis, Nico Mueller
After a lackluster title defense, Jake Dennis stays with Andretti for a fifth year, aiming to reclaim the form that won him the 2023 championship. He’s joined by Nico Mueller, whose heroic performances for Abt last season earned him a promotion. Mueller’s Porsche factory driver status makes him a potential future candidate for the main works team.
Nissan: Oliver Rowland, Norman Nato
Oliver Rowland, last season’s surprise star, returns to Nissan after a standout year. He’s joined by Norman Nato, who reclaims his seat after a stint with Andretti. Nato replaces Sacha Fenestraz, whose disappointing 2024 led to Nissan losing faith in him.
Maserati: Stoffel Vandoorne, Jake Hughes
Maserati fields an entirely new line-up for 2024-25. Stoffel Vandoorne looks to reboot his career after two underwhelming seasons with DS Penske, while Jake Hughes moves from McLaren after contract disputes. The pair represents a fresh start for Maserati as it aims to climb the grid.
Envision: Sebastien Buemi, Robin Frijns
Envision continues with its veteran pairing of Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns. Buemi, tied as Formula E’s all-time win leader, aims to break his six-year win drought. Frijns, a mainstay of the team, enters his sixth season with hopes of adding to his two career victories.
McLaren: Sam Bird, Taylor Barnard
Sam Bird remains with McLaren after securing a win last season. He’s paired with Taylor Barnard, a rising star who impressed as a substitute last year. The 20-year-old makes his full-season debut, bringing youthful energy to balance Bird’s vast experience.
Abt: Lucas di Grassi, Zane Maloney
Lucas di Grassi stays with Abt as the team partners with the new Lola-Yamaha venture. He’s joined by Zane Maloney, the grid’s sole rookie, who transitions from Formula 2. The veteran-rookie duo offers an intriguing dynamic for the resurgent team.
Mahindra: Edoardo Mortara, Nyck de Vries
Mahindra continues with Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries for 2024-25. Mortara provides steady leadership, while De Vries looks to rebuild his career after an ill-fated Formula 1 stint. Both aim to capitalize on Mahindra’s 10-race win history.
Kiro: Dan Ticktum, David Beckmann
The rebranded Kiro team features Dan Ticktum and Porsche-affiliated driver David Beckmann. While Ticktum offers continuity, Beckmann’s addition reflects Kiro’s new technical partnership with Porsche. Both drivers face an uphill battle in transforming the former NIO 333 squad into a competitive force.
Looking Ahead
The 2024-25 Formula E grid promises a mix of established champions, hungry underdogs, and rising stars. As the Gen3 Evo era begins, expect fierce rivalries and unpredictable battles in the world’s premier electric racing series.