As Robin Frijns looks to be out of Formula E following his departure from Envision, a huge grid shake-up is unfolding for the championship ahead of the 2025-26 season.
McLaren’s exit from Formula E was unsurprisingly a big catalyst in this, guaranteeing at least two full-time drivers from last season would be out of a drive as only 10 teams remained. In addition to this, it’s understood that at least one team is bringing in fresh rookie talent as the championship prepares to make the switch to a new generation of car in 2026-27.
As a result, several veterans are facing a permanent axe from the championship, including Frijns, as well as Sam Bird and potentially two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne.
What we know so far
There are several drivers who are safe in their seats, including world champion Oliver Rowland at Nissan. He will once again be joined by Norman Nato, despite Nato scoring 21 of the team’s 207 points in the previous campaign.
Mahindra is also expected to keep its successful line-up of 2020-21 Formula E champion Nyck de Vries alongside the experienced Edoardo Mortara. The two have proven to be a great duo for the team and, after an entire rebuild of the car for the 2024-25 season, the pair helped Mahindra finish fourth in the teams’ standings.
Mitch Evans will continue his long-standing relationship with Jaguar, while Nick Cassidy confirmed at the team’s home event in London that he would be leaving, and he is expected to start a new venture with a Stellantis-powered team alongside a seat with Peugeot in the World Endurance Championship.
Podium: Race winner Nick Cassidy, Jaguar TCS Racing, second place Nyck de Vries, Mahindra Racing, third place Pascal Wehrlein, TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, James Barclay, Team principal Jaguar Racing
Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pascal Wehrlein will remain with Porsche, but who his future team-mate will be is still unclear.
Antonio Felix da Costa and Wehrlein helped the German manufacturer clinch both the teams’ and manufacturers’ titles over the finale in London last month, but there’s still a decision to be made on where the 2019-20 champion ends up.
It’s understood that da Costa has two options; either he’ll stay at Porsche if they want to keep him or he could make the move to Jaguar with Evans. Cassidy was overheard telling da Costa the car was “ready” after his win in London, before da Costa jested back with “I’ve thought about it”.
Another Formula E champion, 2022-23 victor Jake Dennis, is expected to stay with Andretti for another season, with his team-mate potentially changing for 2025-26.
After being announced as a Porsche works driver exactly a year ago, Nico Mueller could make the switch to the factory team in place of da Costa or be relocated to customer team Cupra Kiro. This could make way for the team’s reserve and development driver Jak Crawford.
After a brilliant season with Cupra Kiro, Dan Ticktum has also become hot property in Formula E. Following on from his breakthrough campaign which saw him take his first victory in Jakarta and first pole in London, it’s understood that Porsche has shown an interest. If da Costa does switch to Jaguar, Ticktum’s name is one being circulated to partner Wehrlein, but will his colourful character both on and off the track be the right fit for Porsche?
Taylor Barnard, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team
Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images
What could be announced next
The biggest piece of the puzzle currently lies in the hands of Stellantis, which has two teams on the Formula E grid but more drivers than seats. Maserati also looks to be disappearing off the grid despite promising only last year that it would be around until 2030, in favour of Citroen – another one of the Stellantis brands.
As mentioned above, Cassidy is anticipated to take one of the seats. Taylor Barnard has also been heavily speculated to snatch up another, after an incredible debut season with McLaren, which has departed the all-electric series.
Maximilian Guenther is also set to stay for another campaign, after taking two wins last season. However, there is some confusion over the last seat. Vergne, the only driver to win two Formula E drivers’ titles, could be out of a seat after 2021-22 champion Stoffel Vandoorne remains adamant that he’s got another year on his current contract.
Vergne has been a brand ambassador for DS Automobiles for several years, now part of the Stellantis umbrella, but could find himself out of the team if they are unable to find a place for Vandoorne.
Lola Yamaha ABT’s Zane Maloney has a contract for 2025-26, which kickstarts with pre-season testing at the end of October, while Lucas di Grassi is set to remain alongside him at the team.
With the news of Frijns leaving Envision, it is likely to ensure Sebastien Buemi will stay put at the Silverstone-based squad. Who his team-mate will be looks likely be announced in the coming weeks, with suggestions ranging from former Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich to the team’s reserve and development driver Zak O’Sullivan.
Sam Bird, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team
Photo by: Joe Portlock / LAT Images via Getty Images
Who is at risk?
Bird looks to be out at Formula E, after McLaren’s sudden exit from the all-electric championship. The British driver has been part of Formula E since the first race in Beijing over a decade ago, has totalled 141 race starts and 12 victories during that time. His emotions, and the drivers’ celebrations of him over the race weekend in London, made it all feel pretty final for Bird.
Jake Hughes is expected to be out of the Stellantis bubble, with former racing driver Mark Blundell on-site in Berlin to help with contract negotiations for the Briton who is part of his management company.
After a disappointing season, David Beckmann could also be in trouble at Cupra Kiro. The German driver has a good relationship with Porsche though, which might help his cause for the 2025-26 season.
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