Daniil Kvyat is back in the spotlight—and this time, it’s in Formula E. The former Red Bull and Toro Rosso F1 driver is set to take part in a free practice session with DS Penske, fueling speculation about a potential full-time switch to the all-electric championship.
With his 2025 racing calendar looking unusually light, Kvyat appears to be positioning himself for a serious move into Formula E, a series he’s been linked with for years.
Kvyat Gets His Formula E Shot with DS Penske
On February 13, Kvyat will take the wheel of Maximilian Guenther’s Gen3Evo car in a special 40-minute free practice session reserved for drivers who haven’t raced in Formula E before. He’ll first undergo a seat fitting and simulator session at DS Penske’s Paris-based headquarters in preparation.
While it’s just a one-off session for now, this is Kvyat’s clearest path yet to breaking into the Formula E grid.
The former F1 podium finisher and Lamborghini factory driver has been in and around the Formula E paddock for years. His manager, Nicolas Todt, has held talks with multiple teams about securing Kvyat a spot in the series—but until now, nothing has materialized.
Why Now? Kvyat’s 2025 Racing Schedule Leaves the Door Open
Kvyat’s current racing program for 2025 is shockingly light. His only confirmed commitment? A handful of IMSA endurance races for Lamborghini as part of the development of the Ligier-built SC63 LMDh prototype.
With such a reduced schedule, Kvyat has a full year to explore other racing opportunities—and Formula E might just be the perfect fit.
Kvyat’s Long and Winding Road to Formula E
This isn’t the first time Kvyat has flirted with Formula E.
- 2017 – After being dropped by Red Bull for the first time, Mahindra considered signing Kvyat following a private test. However, he landed a surprise return to Toro Rosso in 2019, putting his Formula E ambitions on hold.
- 2023 – Kvyat finally got behind the wheel of a Formula E Gen3 car, testing for NIO 333 in the Berlin rookie session.
- 2024 – More talks, more interest, but no confirmed ride—until now.
During his 2023 test with NIO 333, Kvyat admitted he was intrigued by Formula E’s unique driving style.
“Actually, I spoke with many drivers that I know from before and they said that it’s completely different, and in fact, it is,” Kvyat said at the time. “I enjoyed the car and I was pretty much up to speed very quickly. I felt competitive today, and you should try to be where you feel competitive—so why not?”
Now, he finally has another chance to prove himself in a Formula E car, this time with DS Penske—one of the series’ top teams.
Could This Lead to a Full-Time Formula E Seat?
While Kvyat’s DS Penske run is just a free practice outing for now, it’s a significant step forward.
DS Penske isn’t just another team—they’re a multiple-time championship-winning outfit, backed by Formula E powerhouse Stellantis. If Kvyat impresses, this could be his long-awaited ticket into the electric racing series.
At 30 years old, Kvyat still has plenty left in the tank, and Formula E’s growing reputation as a destination for ex-F1 talent makes it an obvious landing spot.
What’s Next?
If Kvyat performs well during the DS Penske free practice session, expect his name to start swirling around as a potential mid-season substitute or full-time driver for 2026.
Could this finally be the move that reignites Kvyat’s career? The February test could be his most important audition yet.
