25 November 2021 – Ales, France
The celebrated DS E-TENSE FE21, run by the DS TECHEETAH team in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, revealed its latest livery for Season 8 on Thursday November 25 during a shakedown on the Alès circuit in France.
The new take on the black and gold livery, penned by the DS Automobiles DS Design Studio, was presented by Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne – the winner of two drivers’ titles in 2018 and 2019 – together with 2020 champion António Félix da Costa from Portugal, who both stay on as official factory drivers.
Continuing the success of back-to-back double titles in Formula E during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 Seasons, DS Automobiles and TECHEETAH are excited to be building on their partnership into Season 8 whilst bringing some significant changes to the team’s organisation. Following 4 successful seasons as Team Principal with the team, Mark Preston becomes CEO of DS TECHEETAH Formula E Team with Thomas Chevaucher assuming the role of Team Principal.
Having led the racing and technical aspects of Formula E teams since the FE series inception in 2014, Mark is looking forward to re-focusing on broader aspects of the organisation. He recognised that a key goal of TECHEETAH is to have a truly sustainable platform, this requires the expanded growth and global reach of the series. This will require a concentrated effort by all stakeholders to achieve continued success and to become the most relevant form of Motorsport. Mark will be driving TECHEETAH into expanded business opportunities both engineering wise and commercially and looking to secure investment that will make these goals a reality
Looking ahead to the season, DS TECHEETAH would like to welcome industry leading Automotive Battery Recycling partner, Li-Cycle (NYSE: LICY) to the team. This exciting new partnership demonstrates the teams mindful approach to the challenges and opportunities presented by the transition towards global acceptance of electric mobility. Li-Cycle also represents a clear alignment with the core values of both DS TECHEETAH and Formula E.
Following the team launch, the DS TECHEETAH team will head to the official pre-season tests in Valencia (Spain) from November 29 to December 2, 2021. The cars will then be sent to Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) for the first race of Season 8, which will take place on January 28, 2022.
Thomas Chevaucher, DS Performance Director and DS TECHEETAH Team Principal:
“This adapted organisation with in the team doesn’t change anything regarding our main goal of winning new titles. Thanks to this new arrangement we are focused on racing more than ever and that’s all that matters for DS TECHEETAH and DS Automobiles.”
Mark Preston, TECHEETAH CEO:
“The business of racing requires a great deal more than just the technical elements and in order to create a sustainable future for TECHEETAH, I believe that this is the right time for me to concentrate my efforts on the future growth of the team and that of Formula E itself.
Béatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles CEO:
“The involvement of DS Automobiles in Formula E is a major part of our electrification strategy, which will lead us to produce only 100% electric vehicles from 2024. The qualities of the men and women at DS Performance have been demonstrated by the conquest of two double titles in two consecutive years, as well as by a record of nine wins with our second-generation cars, which no other constructor has managed. We use Formula E as a permanent laboratory to bring expertise and know-how to our E-TENSE models for the road, and we want to continue being part of the development of this 100% electric championship to reinforce the reputation of DS Automobiles on every continent.”
António Félix da Costa, Season 6 Formula E champion:
“This is always a really exciting time of year! We’ve worked very hard with all the engineers, mechanics and entire team to give ourselves the best chance of winning races and claiming more titles! The new livery looks fantastic and I can’t wait to get back to racing with this team that I’ve been with for three years now and feels like a family to me!”
Jean-Éric Vergne, Seasons 4&5 Formula E champion:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be starting another season with the team. We’ve been doing a lot of work for several months and everyone is extremely motivated by the goal of taking up where we left off as leaders next year. I’m looking forward to some great competition, and we’ll be doing everything to ensure that this becomes our best season in Formula E!”
