Formula E: Citroën makes a statement by signing star drivers Jean-Éric Vergne and Nick Cassidy

The announcement sent shockwaves through the motorsport world: Citroën will officially join the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship next year. This news rekindled the competitive spirit among all fans of the brand, who were eagerly awaiting details of this ambitious project. They didn't have to wait long. Wasting no time, Citroën Racing has just confirmed the identity of its two drivers, and it’s clear that the brand with the chevrons is signaling its serious intentions. While we await more information on the car and technical structure on October 20th, I invite you to discover the exceptional driver pairing that will carry Citroën's colors on city circuits around the globe.

A power duo to make an impression

For its grand return to the pinnacle of global motorsport, Citroën has made no compromises. The brand has chosen to align with two of the discipline's greatest current talents by recruiting Frenchman Jean-Éric Vergne and New Zealander Nick Cassidy. This decision is anything but random; it is a clear testament to a singular ambition: to fight at the front from the very first season.

Jean-Éric Vergne, affectionately known to fans as "JEV," is a true Formula E legend. At 35, the French driver has a track record that speaks for itself. After a notable stint in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso, he found his perfect playground in the all-electric series. He became the first driver in the championship's history to win back-to-back world titles. His experience, race craft, and energy management skills make him an invaluable asset. His versatility is also a guarantee of performance, as he concurrently drives for Peugeot TotalEnergies in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), accumulating precious track time.

Alongside him, Nick Cassidy represents one of the fastest and most complete talents of his generation. At 31, the New Zealander has an impressive career, highlighted by a rare period of dominance in Japan where he won the "Triple Crown" of motorsport (Super Formula, Super GT, and Formula 3). Since his Formula E debut in 2020, he has immediately established himself as a title contender, finishing as world vice-champion in 2023 and third in 2024 with Jaguar. With 11 wins and 25 podiums to his name, his raw speed and consistency make him the ideal teammate. The combination of Vergne's championship-winning experience and Cassidy's outright pace creates a formidable duo, arguably one of the strongest on the grid.

A Stellantis synergy that raises questions about DS's future

This announcement also shines a light on the broader strategy of Stellantis Motorsport. Both Citroën Racing drivers will also be sharing the wheel of the Peugeot Hypercar in the World Endurance Championship. Following the sharing of platforms and technologies in production vehicles, Stellantis is now applying this synergistic logic to its top-tier sporting programs. This pooling of talent optimizes resources and creates a genuine driver development pipeline within the group.

However, the arrival of Jean-Éric Vergne at Citroën raises a significant question. The French driver was historically tied to DS Automobiles, another Stellantis brand, with which he won his two Formula E world crowns. This internal transfer is a major move on the championship's chessboard. It logically sparks questions about the future strategy of DS Performance in the discipline, even though the brand's presence is officially confirmed for the 2026 season. The new dynamic between the two French sister brands will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting storylines to follow in the paddock next season.

By securing such a prestigious driver lineup, Citroën is sending a powerful message to its competitors and its fans. The brand is not entering Formula E merely to participate but to reconnect with its glorious competitive past and write a new chapter in its history. The choice of this championship is strategic: it offers exceptional global visibility, with races in the hearts of the world's major cities, reaching a young and connected audience.

This commitment is perfectly aligned with Citroën's electrification strategy. Formula E will serve as a technological laboratory and a communication platform to promote a growing range of electric vehicles, from the Ami to the new ë-C3. It is a bold way to demonstrate the brand's expertise and strengthen its innovative image on a global scale. We now look forward to October 20th, when we will learn more about this program that is already shaping up to be incredibly exciting.