DS Automobiles will end its 11-year Formula E journey after Season 12, shifting its motorsport focus to sailing’s high-tech SailGP series. The French premium brand announced the strategic pivot as it completes one of the championship’s most successful manufacturer runs.
The Stellantis-owned marque has collected four championship titles, 18 race victories, 55 podium finishes and 26 pole positions since joining Formula E in 2015. DS became the first premium brand on the grid when it entered during Season 2.
DS Performance developed three generations of electric powertrains across 142 races on five continents.
The program accelerated innovation in electrified powertrains and energy management systems. These advances transferred directly to road cars like the DS N°4, DS N°7 and DS N°8, which now deliver up to 750 kilometers of electric range.
DS remains committed to finishing Season 12 strong, including a push for podium results at the Madrid E-Prix. But the brand is already reshaping its long-term motorsport strategy.
Partnership with SailGP Team France
The manufacturer announced a strategic partnership with SailGP Team France earlier this year. This marks a shift from single-seater racing toward what DS calls a broader innovation platform.
Competition sailing at SailGP’s level offers technologies that align with DS’s future development priorities. Aerodynamic efficiency, drag reduction, advanced composite materials and software optimization matter for both high-performance sailing and next-generation automotive engineering.
DS aims to use SailGP as a real-world laboratory for innovation – the same principle that drove its Formula E program.
The move reflects a broader goal of connecting technological performance with emotional engagement. This theme has become central for premium automotive brands as electrification reshapes the industry.
Xavier Peugeot, CEO of DS Automobiles, called the transition a natural progression after more than a decade in Formula E.
“After 11 years of pioneering commitment to Formula E, 18 victories, two drivers’ and two manufacturers’ titles, DS Automobiles has demonstrated its ability to transform competition into a high-tech reality,” he said.
“To take French excellence even further, we are now taking a new step by orienting our partnership strategy towards SailGP, a unique laboratory of innovation where technological performance and emotion meet.”
Motorsport Evolution
The decision comes as motorsport undergoes transformation. Manufacturers increasingly seek platforms that offer visibility and tangible relevance to future product development.
Formula E delivered both for DS – acting as a global showcase while accelerating the brand’s transition to electrification. The SailGP move suggests the next phase will focus more on cross-disciplinary innovation than pure racing pedigree.
DS’s Formula E legacy extends beyond silverware. The program demonstrated how electric racing can bridge competition and commercial technology.
The brand’s next chapter will play out on water rather than tarmac, testing whether the same philosophy can deliver equally transformative results in a completely different competitive environment.
