Embarking on an electrification project as a Formula E manufacturer alongside Yamaha represents the ‘first pillar’ in Lola’s revival, according to its motorsport director Mark Preston.
Experienced racecar constructor Lola returned in 2022 when Till Bechtolsheimer, an investment company CEO and occasional IMSA driver, completed a purchase of all company assets. Bechtolsheimer’s goal is to bring Lola back to prominence in the motorsport industry after it ceased operations in 2012 amid financial strife. The first milestone of the revival is today’s announcement of Lola’s new affiliation with Japanese manufacturer Yamaha, made ahead of the inaugural Tokyo E-Prix.
Lola and Yamaha are developing a Formula E car for use in the 2024-25 FIA Formula E World Championship season, under the Gen3 Evo regulations. Lola will be the registered powertrain manufacturer and Yamaha will be its technical partner. The Lola side of the project has enlisted several key figures from electric racing, not least Preston who was team principal of the DS Techeetah team when it won back-to-back Formula E titles. Lola was founded in 1958 by Eric Broadley and built single seaters for the Indy 500, F1, F3000, F3 and A1GP, as well as a range of sportscars from Can-Am to LMP1. Martin Birrane purchased the company in 1997 and it ran until 2012 (Lola)
‘I got to know Till Bechtolsheimer when he bought Lola and was looking around at what the future of racing was,’ Pr...