DS Automobiles has officially announced its departure from the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the end of Season 12, bringing to a close an 11-year journey that helped define its identity in electric performance and innovation. While the decision marks the end of a highly successful era, it also signals the beginning of a bold new direction, as the brand shifts its focus towards fresh technological frontiers in competitive sailing.
DS Automobiles marks the end of a landmark era in Formula E racing
Over more than a decade, DS Automobiles established itself as one of the most successful manufacturers in Formula E history. With four championship titles, 18 victories, 55 podiums, and 26 pole positions across 142 races, the brand consistently delivered excellence on the global stage.
Since joining the championship in Season 2 in 2015, DS Automobiles combined technical expertise with competitive ambition. Consequently, it not only achieved sporting success but also strengthened its reputation as a pioneer in electric mobility.
Throughout its Formula E journey, DS Automobiles used racing as a powerful innovation platform. In collaboration with DS Performance, the brand developed three generations of high-performance electric single-seaters.
As a result, it achieved major breakthroughs in energy management, electrified powertrains, and overall efficiency. These advancements directly influenced road vehicles, including the DS N°4, DS N°7, and DS N°8, which now offer up to 750 km of electric range.
Therefore, Formula E served as both a proving ground and a catalyst for technological progress within the brand.
Before closing this chapter, however, DS Automobiles remains fully committed to its final season. The team heads into the Madrid E-Prix determined to secure strong results and finish among the championship’s leading contenders.
A strategic shift towards SailGP
Looking ahead, DS Automobiles is turning its attention to a long-term partnership with SailGP Team France in the SailGP series.
This transition reflects a strategic evolution. Sailing presents new opportunities to explore aerodynamic efficiency, lightweight materials, and advanced software systems. Moreover, it offers a unique environment for experimentation that aligns closely with the brand’s future ambitions.
In addition to technical development, DS Automobiles aims to embrace a more emotional dimension through its involvement in SailGP. The dynamic nature of high-performance sailing creates a compelling blend of precision engineering and human experience.
Thus, the brand continues to push boundaries while redefining how innovation connects with customers.
DS Penske aiming to build a legacy that drives the future
Ultimately, DS Automobiles departs Formula E as a benchmark for success and innovation. Its achievements extend far beyond the racetrack, shaping the future of its road cars and technological direction.
Xavier Peugeot, CEO of DS Automobiles, highlighted both the legacy and the future direction of the brand:
“After 11 years of pioneering commitment to Formula E, 18 victories, 2 drivers’ and
2 manufacturers’ titles, DS Automobiles has demonstrated its ability to transform competition into a high-tech reality, illustrated by our latest DS N°4, DS N°7 and DS N°8 models. 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.”
As it transitions from track to sea, the brand continues to pursue excellence—proving that true innovation never stands still.
