Formula E confirmed on November 9 that Stoffel Vandoorne will return to full-time competition with Jaguar TCS Racing for the fourth-generation GEN4 era, partnering António Félix da Costa. The 2021/22 champion will race with number 5 after a season away from the grid, converting his reserve and development role into a race seat.
Development work maintained the connection
Vandoorne entered Formula E with HWA in 2018/19 and subsequently won the 2021/22 championship with Mercedes. He raced for DS Penske and Maserati MSG in the GEN3 era, passed 100 starts and left the race grid after the 2025 London finale. A year as Jaguar’s reserve and development driver kept him involved in the championship.
Team principal Ian James previously worked with Vandoorne at Mercedes. Announcing the return, James emphasised their collaboration on Jaguar’s GEN4 development programme over the past year, citing experience, technical insight and competitive ability. Vandoorne said his time inside the team had already made him familiar with its people and ambitions.
Two former champions enter a new technical cycle
Da Costa is also a former Formula E champion, giving Jaguar two former champions for the new technical cycle.
Formula E describes GEN4 as capable of more than 335 km/h, approximately 1.8 seconds from 0–100 km/h and up to 600 kW in Attack Mode, with permanent all-wheel drive. These are the series’ descriptions of the new generation.
Jaguar previously confirmed the I-Type 08 name, a planned November 10 reveal and its public debut at official preseason testing at Madrid’s Jarama circuit from November 16–20.
