Lola Cars, a renowned name in the world of motorsport, known for its success in CART, Le Mans 24 Hours, and occasional Formula 1 entries, is making a comeback in international motorsport. The plan is to enter Formula E in the upcoming season, not as a team, but as a powertrain supplier in partnership with an existing team.
In 2022, Bechtolsheimer acquired the Lola name and some of its remaining assets, a decade after the company went bankrupt. Since then, he has been assessing the motorsport landscape to determine the best racing program to commit to. After attending the 2022 New York City E-Prix, Bechtolsheimer decided that Formula E was the right choice.
Lola has been expanding its team in recent months, with the addition of key figures from Techeetah, Mark Preston and Keith Smout. They join an already experienced technical staff, which includes former designers from McLaren and Williams, Mark Tatham, and engineers from HWA and Mercedes-Benz, Michael Wilson.
Lola has been actively participating in Formula E working group meetings, including those attended by the Formula E Teams and Manufacturers Association (FETAMA), where Preston has represented the company. Bechtolsheimer himself has been present at Formula E races, including the London E-Prix and the season opener in Mexico City in January 2024. It is believed that he attended the FETAMA meeting to introduce himself to other team owners.
Lola Cars was founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley and achieved great success in various racing categories, including three Indianapolis 500 wins, championships, and races in sportscars, F3, Formula Nippon, and F3000. Martin Birrane took over the company in 1997 and oversaw successful projects with MG at Le Mans and winning the CART title with Newman Haas in 2002.
When Bechtolsheimer announced his acquisition of Lola in June 2022, he expressed his intention to re-establish Lola as a leading force in modern motorsport. Given his background in energy efficiency, it was no surprise that he chose Formula E as the preferred route for Lola’s revival. He believes that motorsport plays a crucial role in innovation and testing new solutions, and through Lola, he aims to invest in these solutions.
Bechtolsheimer has taken his time to evaluate different motorsport series since becoming the owner of Lola. He believes that the Lola name is their biggest asset, attracting talent and forming lasting partnerships. While the official announcement of Lola’s return to the track is yet to be made, it is expected that Formula E will be their chosen program. This decision aligns with Bechtolsheimer’s vision to take Lola into new and innovative areas of motorsport.
Formula E currently has a 12th license available for a racing team, but it is unlikely that Lola will take it. Instead, they are expected to partner with an existing team and supply powertrains for the Gen3 era and potentially beyond. The specific team they will partner with is unknown, but Abt has expressed interest in a powertrain for the Gen3 Evo period after unsuccessful talks with Porsche.
Launching Lola into the future-proof category of Formula E is seen as a strategic move to showcase the brand’s refresh. The focus has shifted from large volume customer car programs to alternative-power projects and partnerships with manufacturers. While this new era of Lola may be different from the past, the company aims to build on its rich heritage that spans nearly 70 years.