Formula E Gen4: Ticktum Joins Fortescue Zero as Series Invites Verstappen to Drive Its Fastest Car
A new team, a driver shuffle and an open invitation to a four-time F1 champion. Formula E's Gen4 era is almost here.
Formula E is entering a new era. The 2026-27 season introduces the Gen4 car, the most powerful machine in the history of the all-electric championship, and the driver market is taking shape around it.
Ticktum Lands at Fortescue Zero
Dan Ticktum will stay on the grid for the Gen4 era after signing with Fortescue Zero, which has taken over the former DS Penske team. The outfit will run as Jaguar's new satellite team.
Ticktum, a two-time E-Prix winner, spent the last five seasons racing for Cupra Kiro in its various forms. He will be teamed with Taylor Barnard.
Barnard's Future Secured
The 22-year-old Taylor Barnard had been without a seat after two and a half seasons in the series, starting with McLaren before racing for DS Penske in 2025-26. When DS Automobiles pulled out, his future was in doubt, but the Fortescue Zero deal keeps one of Formula E's brightest young talents on the grid.
An Open Invitation to Max Verstappen
Formula E chief executive Jeff Dodds says he would still love to see Max Verstappen drive the Gen4 car. The series has not yet discussed it with the four-time Formula 1 champion, but Dodds believes there is real value in letting Verstappen experience what the electric racer can do.
Verstappen is one of the most outspoken drivers in motorsport about car performance, which is part of the appeal. He has also been busy in Austin this week, criticizing the bumps at the Circuit of the Americas. Read about that in our US Grand Prix report.
Why Gen4 Matters
Formula 1's own 2026 regulations leaned much more heavily on electric power, and electric racing technology is moving fast. Gen4 is Formula E's statement that its cars can compete for attention on pure performance.
At the same time, F1's governing body is teasing a possible return to V8 engines next decade, a sign that motorsport's future power debate is far from settled.
Follow the new season in our Formula E coverage.
Background from Wikipedia
Formula E
Formula E, officially the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the highest class open-wheel single-seater motorsport championship for electric cars. The inaugural championship race was held in Beijing in September 2014. Since 2020, the series has had FIA world championship status.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season consists of a series of races, each known as an ePrix (written as "E-Prix" on the official website).
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Formula E Gen4 car?
The Gen4 car debuts in the 2026-27 season and is the most powerful car ever used in Formula E.
Which team will Dan Ticktum drive for?
Ticktum joins Fortescue Zero, the team that took over the former DS Penske operation and serves as Jaguar's new satellite team.
Will Max Verstappen drive a Formula E car?
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds says he would love to see Verstappen drive the Gen4 car, though the series has not discussed it with him.
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