Lola announced Gerry Hughes as Formula E deputy team principal on October 16, responsible for daily and competition operations. It will race as Lola Formula E Team in 2026–27, with Yamaha remaining technical partner and leading GEN4 powertrain development.
Deputy handles daily operations as Preston remains in charge
Hughes works from Silverstone, while Mark Preston continues as team principal.
His experience spans touring cars, F1 and Formula E. A former NIO team principal, he was Lola's Head of F1 Engineering in 2009 and undertook master's suspension-design research with Lola while studying automotive engineering at Cranfield. His return combines company familiarity with electric-racing management experience.
Preston recalled working together at Super Aguri and competing in early Formula E seasons. He linked the appointment to building an internally operated team and valued broad racing experience. Hughes said it was his third time working with Preston and Peter McCool, with familiar relationships helping a quick start.
Lola name changes while Yamaha keeps powertrain development
Lola said the name reflects bringing race-team operations in-house. Lola Cars CEO Mishaan Chetty said including Yamaha in the name and branding over recent seasons expressed their relationship. For GEN4, Lola wants centralized operations, simpler activities and greater internal capability for future projects.
Yamaha confirmed in the same announcement that experience from two GEN3 Evo powertrain seasons would support continued technical partnership and leadership of GEN4 powertrain development. A shorter name and continued cooperation occur together; the name alone cannot define the relationship.
INKA SPORTS analysis: Internal operations and technical partnership are separate layers
Hughes' daily and race execution addresses coordination after internalization; Yamaha's development lead describes technical division of work. Direct Lola control and continuing shared technical foundations can proceed together.
Conclusion
Lola adds a deputy for in-house execution while retaining Yamaha's development partnership. Organization and branding change, while technical cooperation continues. Official preseason testing at Madrid's Jarama on November 16–20 offers the next public window on preparation.
