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The 2022/23 Formula E grid will have a major shake-up as it was announced that DS will leave Techeetah and join forces with Dragon Penske.
Penske have been in Formula E ever since the formation of the electric series, but have struggled to get their car up to speed and be competitive as much as other teams. In their time in FE, they only recorded two wins, thanks to Jerome D’Ambrosio, which recorded a win in each of the first two seasons. Other than that, the team is still trying to develop a car, and Season 8 of the series has shown how far behind they have been.
Their Season 8 driver line-up consisted of former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi and ex-F2 driver Sergio Sette Camara. Giovinazzi struggled to score points in F1 as the Alfa Romeo was not as good of a car as the others on the grid. Sette Camara was one of the wonder kids on the F2 grid but a driver that Formula One lost out on but thankfully Formula E gained. In Round 13 of the 2021/22 season at the London E-Prix, the Brazilian came close to finishing fourth, but a loss of energy because of a team mistake in the last lap of the race, saw him go down places and lose his position in the points.
But as Formula E enters the Gen 3 era next season, Penske are looking at finally making their mark and start competing against the top dogs. That is why they partnered with DS Automobiles, who left Techeetah and announced that they’ll be powering the Silverstone-based team from the 2022/23 season. They also brought home a strong line-up made up of 2021/22 Champion Stoffel Vandoorne and Jean-Eric Vergne.
DS Penske Partnership
Earlier this year, The Race revealed that DS Autosport will be parting ways with Techeetah and power Dragon Penske. Both sides told the publication that they do not want to comment until the end of Season 8, while Techeetah is left looking for a future in FE.
DS previously worked with Virgin Racing, which are now Envision Racing. Together they have not won any championship titles. It was a different story with Techeetah though. Joining forces in the 2018/29 season, they went on to win two consecutive seasons together. In 2019/20, they scored nine podiums and four wins with a line-up made of Antonio Felix Da Costa and Jean-Eric Vergne.
It was decided that DS leave Techeetah, as it has been reported that there was a disagreement over the required investment by Techeetah. DS will be offering Penske more work with the DS Performance team, commercial opportunities – which will probably lead to DS branding on cars, race suits and merchandise – and the DS’ control of key engineering.
Eyes on the prize
Director of DS Performance Thomas Chevaucher is eyeing silverware in Season 9. Two Formula E Champions in their car will make a good part fo the formula to achieve another championship win for DS.
He said, “The start of a new association is always a big moment, and all of us at DS Performance are eager to begin this new adventure with PENSKE AUTOSPORT. We are starting this partnership in the best possible way by having two champions in the team! Thanks to Stoffel and Jean-Eric, we probably have one of the best line-ups and also the fastest pairing on the grid. With the powertrain and software expertise of DS Performance, we are now in an ideal position to continue our hunt for victories and titles.”
Meanwhile, Penske might finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and mark their name on the Formula E history books too.
Founerd and owner of Penske Autosport, Jay Penske said, “We’re thrilled to partner with DS Automobiles, an iconic automotive brand who shares our ambitions in striving for excellence. This is a major milestone for our team, and something we have been looking forward to for years. Together we will push the technological boundaries in our hunt for performance and wins. With world champion driver Stoffel and two-time champion Jean-Eric, I am confident that we have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid”
This partnership will not only affect the all-electric series. It will also leave an impact on people’s everyday lives. Together, the two institutions plan to develop EVs which will help to launch 100% electric cars in 2024. This is one of Formula E’s main mission: to help affect the rest of the world sustainably through their love for racing. This partnership marks another milestone in the mission.
Featured Image Credit: FIA Formula E