Citroen Enters Formula E: The Full Story Behind Its Single-Seater Debut

Citroen is officially back in top-tier international motorsport, making its debut in global single-seater competition through a new Formula E project. This move marks the brand's return to the world stage since concluding its dominant World Rally Championship program in 2019. The ambitious program was launched on the Champs-Élysées, showcasing a patriotic red, white, and blue livery.

Why it matters:

Citroen's entry into Formula E signifies Stellantis's unwavering commitment to electric motorsport and provides a fresh sporting injection for the brand. This strategic shift reflects the automotive group's agility in leveraging its diverse brands within the electric racing landscape, with potential implications for future Gen4 entries from other Stellantis marques like Opel.

The Details:

• Stellantis's Strategic Choice: Acquired by Stellantis in 2021, Citroen was the most logical choice among its brands to replace Maserati in Formula E, particularly given Peugeot's focus on endurance racing.
• Complex Transition: The brand replacement wasn't straightforward due to Stellantis's partnership model with operational entities (Penske for DS, MSG for Maserati/Citroen) which limited direct control over certain decisions.
• MSG Team Instability: The MSG team, which Citroen now partners with, faced significant financial instability and ownership challenges, including accruing substantial debt and being for sale under Formula E Operations' custodianship.
• McLaren's Near Miss: The outgoing McLaren Formula E entity almost secured a deal with Stellantis to continue, but MSG's critical need for survival likely superseded McLaren's bid.
• Licence Ownership: Citroen Racing does not own the team's license entry. Several parties are reportedly interested in acquiring the MSG license, with new ownership possibly confirmed before the 2025-26 season.
• Citroen's Motivation: Citroen CEO Xavier Chardon emphasized Formula E's appeal as an electric championship racing in city centers and its value as a 'perfect test bench' for electrification programs, particularly in software management.
• Stellantis Motorsport's Vision: Stellantis Motorsport Vice President Jean-Marc Finot and FE program director Leo Thomas are leading the technical and political aspects. Finot highlights the flexibility of Stellantis's brands as a key asset for Formula E.
• Operational Shifts: The program will see more overall technical control from Satory, Stellantis Motorsport's base. Cyril Blais remains team principal, ensuring continuity. MSG's Monaco base may have a reduced role.
• Future Brand Movements: DS Penske is entering its final season as a partnership, with DS Automobiles likely winding down its Formula E efforts. Opel is a strong contender to replace DS for Gen4, and potentially secure its own entry slot.

The Cassidy/Vergne Dynamic:

Citroen has secured one of Formula E's most formidable driver duos in Nick Cassidy and Jean-Eric Vergne, a partnership widely considered among the strongest in the championship's history. While a notable on-track spat at Misano in April 2024 between the two raised some concerns, a swift resolution followed.

• Experience and Maturity: Both drivers are highly experienced and have successfully partnered with various teammates in the past, including Sébastien Buemi, Mitch Evans, Antonio Felix da Costa, and Maximilian Günther.
• Team Focus: Given their maturity, neither driver is expected to allow intra-team politics or pointless internal rivalries to compromise their individual efforts or the team's performance, especially in their inaugural season together.

What's Next:

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds welcomes Stellantis's approach, noting the benefit of having a major global car company that can leverage investment across multiple brands. The potential arrival of a second Stellantis brand, such as Opel, for Gen4 is highly anticipated and could be announced closer to the Gen4 car's reveal next spring. This strategy not only provides scale economies for Stellantis but also brings recognizable household brands with strong engineering discipline to the championship, reinforcing Formula E's diverse grid.