Fortescue Zero has officially taken over the Team Penske operation and will enter the Gen4 Formula E era as a Jaguar customer team starting in the 2026-27 season. The move marks a new chapter for the Australian outfit, previously known more as a technology supplier than a race team.
With this step, Jaguar will supply six cars on next season's grid: four already existing from the factory team and Envision, plus two additional from Fortescue Zero. This underscores Jaguar's dominance in car count, while ending speculation about Penske's future after DS left the partnership at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Penske itself is no stranger to Formula E. They joined in the inaugural 2014 season and remained for over a decade, albeit under different identities with varying manufacturer partners. Their latest stint as DS Penske ran from 2022 to 2026, but DS's March announcement of departure cast doubt on Penske's future. Now, Fortescue Zero secures the operation's continuation under a new banner.
For Fortescue, this is more than a business expansion. Gus Pichot, Fortescue growth and energy CEO, stated the company is ready to compete on track after years of being the brains behind electric racing technology. "We're here to race, to win, and to innovate," he said. He added that motorsport is a platform to develop technologies that impact industries beyond racing, not just trophies.
Jaguar boss Ian James welcomed the collaboration. He emphasized that Fortescue Zero's presence strengthens Jaguar's grid position and reflects confidence in their technology. "Six Jaguar-powered cars fighting for points, podiums, and wins is a testament to the strength of our Formula E programme," James said. Jaguar recently clinched the 2025-26 teams' title, adding to their credibility as a powertrain supplier.
However, one big question remains: who will drive the two Fortescue Zero cars? Maximilian Gunther has left DS Penske for Envision, while Taylor Barnard's future is uncertain. Fortescue Zero management has yet to announce its driver lineup, leaving room for paddock speculation ahead of the new season starting in December.
With this acquisition, the Formula E landscape next season is set to change. Jaguar grows stronger, Penske becomes Fortescue Zero, and the competition heats up heading into Gen4. All eyes will be on how the new team adapts and whether they can immediately challenge the established frontrunners.
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