Fortescue Zero Enters Formula E as First Australian-Owned Team in 2026

April 2, 2025 — Fortescue Zero, a high-performance engineering powerhouse rooted in the legacy of Williams Advanced Engineering, is set to make history as the first Australian-owned team to compete in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Subject to final approvals from Formula E Operations (FEO) and the FIA, the outfit will join the grid from the start of the 2026/27 season—marking a major leap from its previous role as a behind-the-scenes technology partner.

The move builds on a decade-long involvement in electric racing. Fortescue Zero has supplied cutting-edge battery systems and electrification solutions to multiple Formula E teams, and currently serves as the Official PIT BOOST supplier for the series. To transition from supplier to competitor, Fortescue has acquired the Penske Formula E operation and will race with a Jaguar GEN4 powertrain—the most advanced electric race car ever built.

GEN4: A Performance Leap That Redefines Electric Racing

The GEN4 car represents a generational step forward in electric motorsport. Capable of exceeding 335 km/h (208 mph), it accelerates from 0–100 km/h in approximately 1.8 seconds and from 0–200 km/h in just 4.4 seconds—1.5 seconds faster than the previous generation. In race mode, GEN4 delivers 50% more power than the current GEN3 Evo, and in ATTACK MODE, output peaks at 600 kW—a 71% increase over GEN3 Evo. The car is also the first single-seater with permanent all-wheel drive, offering superior traction and cornering performance. Qualifying simulations suggest GEN4 will lap an average of 10 seconds faster per lap than GEN3.

From Pit Lane to Grid: A Strategic Expansion

For Fortescue, the entry into Formula E as a team is more than a racing ambition—it is a platform to accelerate real-world innovation. Gus Pichot, CEO of Fortescue Growth and Energy, said: “For more than a decade Fortescue Zero has been the brains behind some of the groundbreaking technologies powering and transforming electric racing. Now, we’re going to show the world how we can compete on the track as well.”

He added: “Progressing from the pit lane to the grid is the next chapter in our motorsports story. We’re here to race, to win and to innovate. At Fortescue it’s in our DNA to go to the extreme, push the limits and go further and faster than our competitors. For us, motorsports is more than just a chance to take home a championship trophy, it’s a platform to develop, test and hone in on the next great technologies that will transform industries beyond racing.”

Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, welcomed the move: “Fortescue Zero has been a vital technology partner for Formula E from day one, standing alongside us since the inception of the Championship. Formula E is far more than a racing series, it’s an incubator for peak performance and ground-breaking technology, and Fortescue Zero exemplifies both. We are excited to see the competitive edge and innovation they will bring to the GEN4 era.”

Exclusive Insight: What This Means for the Electric Racing Landscape

Industry analysts view Fortescue Zero’s entry as a signal that major industrial firms are increasingly treating motorsport as a fast-track R&D lab. Unlike traditional automakers, Fortescue is a mining and green energy conglomerate—its parent company, Fortescue Ltd., is pivoting heavily toward decarbonization and renewable energy. By competing in Formula E, the company can test battery endurance, thermal management, and high-voltage systems under extreme race conditions, directly feeding into its commercial product lines.

The acquisition of the Penske operation—formerly known as Dragon Racing—gives Fortescue Zero instant access to an experienced race team infrastructure, including engineers, logistics, and a proven supply chain. Combined with the Jaguar powertrain partnership, the team enters with a competitive baseline that could challenge established players like Porsche, Jaguar TCS Racing, and Nissan.

A Timeline of Fortescue’s Motorsport Evolution

Fortescue Zero’s roots trace back to Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE), a division of the Williams Formula One team that specialized in lightweight and energy storage solutions. Fortescue acquired WAE in 2022 and rebranded it as Fortescue Zero in early 2025, signaling a strategic focus on zero-emission technologies. Since then, the company has supplied battery packs for Extreme E, the all-electric off-road series, and worked with multiple Formula E teams. The step to field its own team is the natural culmination of that journey.

The Road to 2026/27

While the team will not compete in the current Season 11, preparation is already underway. Fortescue Zero is expected to hire additional technical staff and begin testing the GEN4 powertrain in early 2026. The team will race under the Fortescue Zero banner, with an as-yet-unannounced driver lineup. Given the team’s engineering pedigree and its integration with Jaguar’s powertrain, early predictions suggest they could be a midfield contender from the first season, with ambitions to fight for podiums within the first three seasons.

Conclusion

Fortescue Zero’s entry into Formula E is a landmark for Australian motorsport and a vote of confidence in electric racing as a technology incubator. With the GEN4 car promising unprecedented performance, and a team backed by deep engineering expertise and industrial resources, the 2026/27 season will see a new dynamic on the grid—one that merges raw racing ambition with a broader mission to decarbonize global industry.