23 Oct Lola will run its Formula E team directly from Silverstone for the first time
MIA member, Lola Cars, has confirmed a major restructuring of its Formula E operation ahead of the 2026/27 season, bringing the team under direct management at its Silverstone headquarters and dropping ABT and Yamaha from its official entrant name as the championship prepares for the introduction of Gen4 machinery.
The British manufacturer announced on Friday, October 16, that the organisation will compete as Lola Formula E Team, replacing the Lola Yamaha ABT identity used during its first two seasons in the electric world championship.
The change also confirms the appointment of Gerry Hughes as deputy team principal, with responsibility for sporting operations and the daily management of the racing organisation.
Although Yamaha will no longer feature in the team’s official name, the Japanese manufacturer remains an important technical partner in the development of Lola’s Gen4 powertrain.
The restructuring represents a significant change in Lola’s approach to the championship. When the historic British manufacturer returned to international single-seater competition in 2024, it relied on ABT Sportsline’s experience to operate its Formula E programme. The German organisation provided much of the infrastructure and expertise needed to establish the team.
Lola subsequently acquired the entrant licence, giving the company greater control over its long-term participation.
The decision to bring operations in-house was announced earlier in 2026, but the latest confirmation establishes the organisation’s new identity and leadership structure.
The team will now operate directly from Lola’s expanded Silverstone facilities, allowing the manufacturer to integrate its racing activities more closely with engineering and development programmes.
The removal of Yamaha from the team’s official name does not signal the end of the technical partnership.
Lola confirmed that the Japanese manufacturer will continue supporting the development of its Gen4 powertrain, building on the collaboration established when the programme entered Formula E.
You can read the full version of this article here.