Lola Cars, known for its illustrious history in motorsport, is making a comeback to professional open-wheel racing, two years after its revival under IMSA competitor Till Bechtolsheimer. Following the purchase of the iconic British racing manufacturer, Bechtolsheimer set out on a mission to rejuvenate the brand, culminating in a strategic alliance with Yamaha for Formula E powertrains.
First reported by The Race on Tuesday, the confirmation of Lola’s reentry into the electric racing championship was announced in Tokyo on Thursday, solidifying the collaboration with Yamaha. This partnership is poised to supply an existing Formula E team, possibly like the Abt team, formerly associated with Audi, as they gear up for the upcoming season 11.
The Lola-Yamaha venture joins a lineup of prominent manufacturers involved in crafting powertrains for Formula E, including Stellantis, Porsche, Mahindra, Jaguar, and the Electric Racing Technologies team.
Notably, Nissan reaffirmed its commitment to the series until at least 2030, emphasizing the enduring appeal and significance of Formula E in motorsport innovation.
In its heyday, Lola established itself as a dominant force across sports car and open-wheel racing circuits globally. Renowned for its Sixties sports cars, Lola’s legacy includes notable achievements such as the T70’s victory at the 1969 24 Hours of Daytona and the Mk. 6’s pivotal role in the development of the iconic Ford GT.
With a rich heritage in Formula 1 and American open-wheel racing, Lola Cars clinched victory at the Indianapolis 500 thrice and enjoyed remarkable success in the ChampCar series.
