Lola Formula E Team appoints Gerry Hughes as Deputy Team Principal

Lola has appointed Formula E and Formula 1 engineer, Gerry Hughes, as Deputy Team Principal to help lead the team from its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Silverstone as it enters the GEN4 era.

Hughes has vast experience across multiple motorsport series, which he will bring to the team as it continues to build on the progress made in its first two seasons. Hughes will lead all operations and sporting matters while overseeing the day-to-day running of the team.

Having started out as a race engineer, Hughes worked across touring cars and Formula One before moving into Formula E, eventually becoming Team Principal of the NIO Formula E team. The appointment marks a return to Lola for Hughes, who was not only its Head of F1 Engineering in 2009 but also carried out his MSc research thesis on suspension design with the company while studying automotive engineering at Cranfield University.

Mark Preston, Team Principal, Lola Formula E, said: “We are very pleased to announce that Gerry is joining the team. His vast experience across a variety of motorsport series will be integral to the team’s continued development as we enter GEN4. On a personal note, it’s great to be working with Gerry again having been teammates at Super Aguri as well as competitors in the earlier seasons of Formula E. This appointment continues our commitment to building a competitive in-house team with wide-ranging expertise and capabilities.”

Gerry Hughes, Deputy Team Principal, Lola Formula E, said: “Having worked for Lola on two previous occasions, the opportunity to re-join the prestigious British marque is something of a homecoming for me and one that I take great pride in. Joining Lola also marks the third time I have worked alongside Mark Preston and Peter McCool, so there are a number of familiarities which will help me hit the ground running. Formula E has certainly come a long way technologically since I bowed out at the end of Season 5 and I am excited to be returning to the championship as it enters this new era.”

The announcement comes as Lola reveals it will compete as the Lola Formula E team next season, with Yamaha continuing its role as technical partner. This name change reflects Lola’s growing capabilities as an independent manufacturer, following the in-housing of the race team.

Mishern Chetty, CEO, Lola Cars said: "Since the inception of Lola’s Formula E program Yamaha has been an invaluable technical partner, providing expertise and resource which has been key to our development. We are proud to be continuing this relationship with them for our GEN4 campaign, where they remain a core part of the team.

"The importance of our relationship with Yamaha was reflected through their inclusion in our team name and branding level in our initial seasons. However, following the decision to bring the race team in-house for GEN4 to streamline activities and increase expertise for future motorsport projects, we have updated our team name and positioning accordingly. We will therefore compete next season as the Lola Formula E Team, with both companies continuing to build on the foundations established together in GEN3 Evo to develop a competitive platform which provides a unique platform for OEMs, technical and commercial partners looking to join Formula E."

Takayuki Sato, Chief General Manager, Yamaha Motor co., ltd. said: "Together with Lola, we have gained invaluable experience over the past two seasons racing the GEN3 Evo powertrain. We will build on those foundations as we enter the GEN4 era, continuing to lead the powertrain development as Lola’s technical partner and pursuing the next level of performance and innovation. At this important moment in our Formula E journey, we are pleased to welcome Gerry to the team. His experience will be a tremendous asset, and we look forward to competing together as we take on the challenges and opportunities of GEN4."

Season 13 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship begins with the official pre-season test in Jarama, Madrid, 16 - 20 November.