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Lola returns to motorsport in Formula E with Yamaha powertrain partnership
The new partnership between Lola Cars and Yamaha Motor Company was announced on Thursday in Japan prior to the debut Tokyo E-Prix, with plans for them to enter the FIA Formula E World Championship as early as the 2025 season. Lola Cars, a renowned name in motorsport with past successes in various categories, had faced financial difficulties in 2012 but was acquired by British businessman Till Bechtolsheimer in 2022 with the intention of making a comeback. Bechtolsheimer expressed excitement about teaming up with Yamaha and emphasized the focus on technological development in motorsport. The Lola/Yamaha collaboration will mark Yamaha’s return to car racing since its last Formula 1 programme in 1997, with both companies aiming to advance sustainable energy management technologies through their partnership in Formula E. Although not officially confirmed, it is speculated that the Lola/Yamaha project will provide powertrains to the Abt team, following Abt’s announcement of parting ways with Mahindra.
