Opel has confirmed it will enter the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship from Season 13 (2026/27), timing its arrival with the start of the championship’s GEN4 era.
The German manufacturer will compete as the ‘Opel GSE Formula E Team’ – positioning its high-performance electric GSE sub-brand at the center of global electric motorsport.
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds and Opel CEO Florian Huettl made the announcement ahead of this weekend’s race in Spain.
The timing isn’t coincidental. Opel’s entering Formula E just as the series launches its most significant performance upgrade ever.
GEN4 Changes Everything
The next generation of Formula E cars will produce up to 600kW (816hp) in qualifying and ATTACK MODE – that’s 250kW more than current GEN3 Evo cars.
GEN4 also introduces permanent all-wheel drive. This gives drivers better traction and opens up new performance strategies that weren’t possible before.
For manufacturers, it’s essentially a clean slate to develop and showcase electric powertrain technology.
“Joining Formula E marks a new milestone for Opel on our journey towards an electric future. With GEN4 arriving, this is the ideal moment to enter this exciting all-electric racing competition.”
That’s Huettl explaining why now made sense for Opel’s entry.
Stellantis Expands Its Formula E Presence
Opel’s arrival deepens Stellantis’ presence in Formula E. The automotive group already has multiple brands and powertrain programs in the championship.
This signals a long-term commitment to Formula E’s next phase.
Jeff Dodds sees it as validation of Formula E’s direction.
“We are delighted to welcome Opel as a new factory team. It’s a brand with a rich motorsport heritage and strong engineering credentials, and its entry underlines the importance of Formula E in the global transition to electric mobility.”
Formula E has evolved from a proving ground into a central battleground where global automakers shape their electric futures.
Opel’s Racing Background
Opel brings serious motorsport credentials to Formula E.
The brand has competed in:
- World Rally Championship campaigns
- Touring car racing
- Formula 3
- DTM
Racing has always served as Opel’s platform for engineering development and brand storytelling.
Motorsport director Jörg Schrott will lead the Opel GSE Formula E Team. A dedicated engineering and operations structure is already in place.
Development work has started ahead of the team’s competitive debut. The focus is integrating race-derived learnings into future road-going GSE models.
Those include performance-focused electric vehicles like the Mokka GSE and the upcoming all-electric Corsa GSE. These cars will increasingly use the same principles being refined on track.
What’s Next
Opel will make its first public appearance as a Formula E entrant at the official GEN4 launch event at Circuit Paul Ricard in April.
That moment marks the beginning of a new chapter for both Opel and the championship. With more power, greater efficiency, and an expanding roster of manufacturers, the GEN4 era is set to redefine electric motorsport’s competitive and technological landscape.
For Opel, the message is clear: the future of performance is electric, and it intends to compete at the very front.
