DS Penske has unveiled its bold new challenger for the 11th season of the FIA Formula E championship, the DS E-TENSE FE25, a car the team believes will be its secret weapon in the highly competitive all-electric series. With a striking deep black livery accented by golden stripes, the car not only looks fierce but also comes equipped with a brand-new powertrain developed in-house by DS Performance, as the team looks to reignite its title aspirations.
“A Decade of Formula E Excellence”
DS Performance Director, Eugenio Franzetti, underscored the significance of this season for the team, as it marks their 10th year in Formula E. Since entering the sport in 2015, DS Automobiles has accumulated an impressive record, boasting four championship titles, 16 victories, 51 podiums, and 24 pole positions. Despite this legacy, the partnership between DS and Penske, which started at the beginning of the GEN3 era, has yet to live up to expectations, with just one victory to its name in the past two seasons, thanks to Jean-Eric Vergne in Season 9.
Franzetti is confident that the DS E-TENSE FE25 will give the team the boost it needs: “Today, I’m particularly proud of the huge amount of work put in by our engineers and mechanics over the last two years. The DS E-TENSE FE25 will be a huge asset for us to bring DS Penske towards some great successes.”
“New Faces and Renewed Confidence”
With Max Günther joining Vergne after moving from Maserati MSG Racing, DS Penske is hoping the refreshed driver lineup can bring in much-needed consistency and success. The arrival of Phil Charles, the team’s Deputy Team Principal and technical mastermind, has also injected new hope. Having joined DS Penske from Jaguar TCS Racing in early 2024, Charles has been instrumental in shaping the team’s approach for this season.
Speaking ahead of the season, Charles highlighted the impact of Attack Charge, a new pit stop feature that allows teams to take on fast charges during races, adding a strategic element to the competition. “Strategically, it’s very interesting,” Charles said. “We’ve obviously been doing our homework, looking at the way temperature goes into the battery and how to best manage the fast charge during races.”
Charles kept much of the team’s strategy close to the chest but hinted at the critical importance of adapting quickly: “As much as you do lots of simulation, you try and build the best understanding you can. But when it comes to real races, there’s always a learning curve.”
“The Road Ahead”
As the 11th season of Formula E begins, DS Penske is aiming to turn its underwhelming GEN3 debut around and challenge for both drivers’ and constructors’ titles. With the DS E-TENSE FE25, a new powertrain, and a strategic focus on leveraging the fast-charge technology, the team believes it’s finally ready to compete for top honors.
The first test of these ambitions will come next month at the Valencia test, where teams will get their first glimpse of the season’s new strategies, with DS Penske aiming to prove that their new machine can deliver on its promises.
