Formula E
Why the Gen4 Era Marks a Fresh Start for Lola in Formula E
Lola’s long-awaited return to motorsport has so far only produced a single podium finish in Formula E, but the iconic brand is setting its sights much higher as preparations intensify for the arrival of the Gen4 era.
Zane Maloney, Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team
Photo by: Malcolm Griffiths / LAT Images via Getty Images
The 2026-27 Formula E grid is packed with major original equipment manufacturers, including heavyweights like Porsche, Jaguar, and Stellantis, all committed to the Gen4 regulations. However, one recently revived marque is also eager to challenge the category’s established leaders.
Long-time motorsport followers will recall Lola’s storied history in sportscar racing and junior categories. Despite a disastrous single season in Formula 1 backed by Mastercard, Lola enjoyed considerable success as a specialist constructor over the decades. Its disappearance from motorsport after filing for bankruptcy was a significant loss. Naturally, excitement built when Lola returned to racing in 2024 following its acquisition by businessman Till Bechtolsheimer.
Yet, entering Formula E midway through the Gen3 cycle put the team at a clear disadvantage, and results have been hard to come by so far. Last season, the Lola-Yamaha Abt venture finished last in the standings with 32 points, managing just four top-10 finishes, including a standout second-place in Miami. This season has been even tougher, with overheating and rear-traction issues limiting the squad to a single point after the opening eight rounds.
The Gen4 era, however, offers a level playing field and gives the British brand a genuine opportunity to compete against the best manufacturers in the series.
“In Gen3, we came halfway through a cycle, and that makes a huge difference,” team principal Mark Preston told Motorsport.com. “We are two years behind them, so that’s the big thing. Look at F1 and certainly my experience in Formula E—it always takes time when you get a new team going and working together.
“It does take time, especially when the others are ahead, so you can’t expect to catch up overnight. Starting at the same time [in Gen4] as everyone else is the key.
“We will just keep building. In Formula E, the goal is to get yourself into the duels regularly and then fight for more points in races.”
Mark Preston, Team Principal of Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Competing in Gen4 was always part of Lola’s plan when it entered Formula E. Both Lola and its technical partner Yamaha are already deeply involved in developing the new powertrain. While there were some early setbacks, the program now appears back on track.
Like most manufacturers, Lola completed initial testing at Monteblanco and Almeria using a mule car—a hybrid of Gen3 and Gen4 powertrains. Only Jaguar (and possibly Porsche) are understood to have run a full Gen4 package so far.
“We had a bit of a hybrid version up until now in order to get going quickly, because there was an opportunity to test late last year. We thought it was worth making that trade-off to get out on track and start finding the issues,” Preston explained.
“So we found some problems, solved them, and now those solutions are being implemented on the full version of the car, which we’ll test with soon.”
To prepare for the Gen4 program, Lola has expanded its Silverstone facility and recently installed a new state-of-the-art simulator. The technical partnership with Yamaha has been renewed, while Abt will no longer be part of the alliance—Lola is now bringing operations in-house.
