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Prior to the Tokyo E-Prix, Lola’s Motorsport Director, Mark Preston, revealed that Lola will be making a comeback to elite motor racing in Formula E. It was confirmed on Thursday that Lola will be supplying powertrains to ABT in the upcoming season. Preston, who has a wealth of experience in Formula 1 and Formula E, considers adding Lola to his resume as a significant achievement, alongside other prestigious names like McLaren and Arrows, for whom he has worked in the past.
“It’s a brand with a rich history, Lola, which is fantastic,” he expressed.
“When I first arrived from Australia in 1996, I had 10 job interviews, one of which was with Lola, another with McLaren, and one with Arrows. Eventually, I ended up working for Arrows, but interestingly enough, I almost joined Lola again in 2008. So, third time’s the charm – it’s absolutely fabulous.”
The decision to enter Formula E for the second revival of Lola, following its second bankruptcy 12 years ago, is a deliberate one that aligns closely with the values of its new owner, Till Bechtolsheimer. Bechtolsheimer is eager to promote a sustainability platform for the brand, and as Preston explains, entering Formula E is a logical choice.
“Till has a clear plan to focus on three pillars of motorsport.
“So, the first one is electrification, the second is hydrogen, and the third is sustainable fuels and materials. Considering that Formula E is the World Championship for electric cars, it represents the highest level of electrification. Therefore, it’s the most suitable place for Lola to be as part of its rebirth in the electrification pillar.
“We also anticipate that the majority of motorsport in the future will incorporate some form of electrification – F1 is aiming for 50 percent electrification by 2026, and other series like WEC are also embracing electrification. So, it makes sense to start here as the electrified pillar and then expand into other areas.”
Formula E and its fans, who have a longstanding interest in motorsport, are understandably excited to see Lola join the championship. The Lola name has been associated with motorsport for over 60 years and has achieved success in various racing championships. Preston believes that Lola’s strong brand recognition will greatly benefit the series.
“As you can see from the enthusiastic response to the announcement in Japan, Lola is quite famous there due to its involvement in the F3000 series and years of racing. It’s also well-known in the US and worldwide. Therefore, having such a reputable brand in Formula E is important.”
The recognition they receive is a result of the various championships they have participated in, so there will naturally be hope and expectations for their Formula E project. Preston acknowledges this and is ambitious.
“Our goal is to be at the forefront. It may take some time to fully establish ourselves, but we have a highly experienced team and, on paper, we have all the necessary components.
“For me, as long as we perform well in the first season and show improvement, we will be satisfied. Formula E is a highly competitive series that changes from weekend to weekend, so I hope we can compete for positions in the first year or two.”
Instead of entering Formula E as a team, Lola has chosen to enter as a manufacturer and will supply their powertrains to ABT. Discussions between the two parties have been ongoing for some time, and ABT Cupra ultimately chose Lola over Mahindra.
“So, we have known ABT for a long time and Thomas [Beirmaier, ABT CEO] mentioned that we started talking in London last year. Our commercial director even joked about it being a fairytale story! We have been in discussions for a while, and as time went on, it made sense to work together.”
It is important to note that Lola’s entry into Formula E is in collaboration with Yamaha, who, like Lola, are returning to top-level motorsport after a hiatus. Preston’s connections made this collaboration possible.
“I have been involved in various projects in Japan, such as Super Aguri and Bridgestone, and Arrows had significant connections in Japan due to Bridgestone and TWR [Tom Walkinshaw Racing]. Over the years, I got to know many people in Japan, and I started talking to our now-colleagues at Yamaha. I believe we brought them to New York about five years ago to introduce them to Formula E, and some of them showed interest.
“It took time to bring everything together over the years.
“We have been working together on the powertrain for around 18 months.”
Reports emerged just before the official announcement of Lola’s entry that they had already received a GEN3 Evo car and immediately began working on it. With Lola now present at the ABT garage during races, it is clear that work is already underway, and Preston aims to have the car on the test track soon.
“Our target is to be on the test track in June. It has to happen soon in order to be prepared.
“As a manufacturer, we have 12 days of testing, and it doesn’t have to be done before the combined test, which usually takes place in November. So, we will participate in the combined test with everyone else. Before that, there will be test days leading up to it, of course.”
With the groundwork laid and their presence confirmed, Lola’s entry into Formula E is poised to shake up the category and bring a fresh addition that will help the sport expand into new markets and generate more interest.