After 11 seasons competing in Formula E, French luxury brand DS Automobiles is ending its successful campaign as a manufacturer in the all-electric racing series. DS announced it is evolving its "sporting and technology strategy" by leaving Formula E at the end of the 2025-26 season to focus on golf and SailGP instead.
With faster and more powerful "Gen4" Formula E cars arriving later this year, DS has decided against investing in a new powertrain for the upcoming regulations and will bow out of the series.
DS initially joined Formula E in 2015 with Virgin Racing, achieving five victories with driver Sam Bird over three seasons. The brand then partnered with China's Techeetah squad in 2018, securing ten more victories across four seasons and winning two driver and constructor championships in 2018-19 and 2019-20 with Jean-Éric Vergne and António Félix da Costa.
After parting with Techeetah due to financial issues, DS joined Jay Penske's team as drivetrain supplier in 2022. During the Gen3 era, DS Penske has managed only three wins and eight podiums.
"At the end of Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Stellantis group's French brand is evolving its sporting and technological strategy through golf and SailGP, to be as close as possible to its customers," the company stated.
DS recently became partner to the French Golf Federation and announced in January it would become title partner of SailGP Team France. The brand said its partnership with SailGP aims to "push the limits of innovation further while exploring a new emotional aspect."
DS CEO Xavier Peugeot commented: "After 11 years of pioneering commitment to Formula E, 18 victories, two drivers' and two manufacturers' titles, DS Automobiles has demonstrated its ability to transform competition into a high-tech reality. To take French excellence even further, we are now taking a new step by orienting our partnership strategy towards SailGP."
The departure is part of a broader realignment of Stellantis brands' motorsport activities. Maserati also left Formula E at the end of 2024-25, replaced by Citroën Racing. Rumors suggest another Stellantis brand, potentially Opel, may take over DS's Formula E efforts for the Gen4 era.
A Formula E spokesperson acknowledged DS as "one of the most decorated manufacturers in Formula E history," noting their four world titles, 18 victories, and 55 podiums across more than 139 races. The series teased an "exciting championship announcement" regarding a potential newcomer.
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DS Automobiles exits Formula E after 11 seasons to pivot from electric racing to golf and sailing partnerships.
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This shift reflects luxury brands prioritizing customer-aligned sports over costly motorsport technology development.
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Another Stellantis brand like Opel may replace DS in Formula E's upcoming faster Gen4 car regulations.
