Lola Formula E has confirmed Enzo Fittipaldi as its second driver for the 2027 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season, completing an all-rookie line-up alongside Robert Shwartzman ahead of the championship’s GEN4 era.
The Brazilian joins the British manufacturer after finishing runner-up in the 2026 INDY NXT Championship, bringing experience from several international single-seater categories.
Fittipaldi’s arrival also renews a connection between Lola Cars and the Fittipaldi family that stretches back more than five decades, with his grandfather Emerson Fittipaldi and other family members having previously raced Lola machinery.
The announcement follows Lola’s confirmation of Shwartzman earlier this week, as the team prepares for a new chapter alongside technical partner Yamaha.
Fittipaldi brings junior single-seater experience
Fittipaldi will make his full-time Formula E debut in 2027, although he already has some experience of the all-electric championship after participating in the 2024 rookie test in Berlin.
The former Italian Formula 4 champion and Formula Regional European Championship runner-up progressed through Formula 3 before moving into Formula 2, where he collected two victories and 13 podium finishes.
He subsequently switched to INDY NXT for the 2026 season, finishing second in the championship standings. His four victories were the most achieved by any driver during the campaign.
Fittipaldi now faces another significant career change as he prepares to compete against established Formula E drivers.
He has already started working with Lola and Yamaha during testing of the Lola T004, gaining valuable experience with the GEN4 machinery before his competitive debut.
Fittipaldi excited to begin new chapter with Lola
Following the announcement, Fittipaldi expressed his enthusiasm about joining the championship and becoming part of Lola’s return to prominence in international motorsport.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining Lola for my debut season in Formula E. This is a big step forward in my racing career, and I’m incredibly grateful to the team for putting their trust in me and giving me this opportunity.”
“Lola is a name with so much history and heritage in motorsport, and it’s a privilege to be part of this new chapter alongside Yamaha. I’m also thrilled to be joining the team at such an exciting time, with projects like the T70S bringing Lola’s iconic past into the future.”
“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel for at our upcoming test in Madrid, start working closely with the team, and build towards a strong first season together.”
His reference to Lola’s heritage carries particular significance given his family’s extensive history with the manufacturer.
Lola and the Fittipaldi family’s historic connection
Fittipaldi’s signing continues a relationship between Lola Cars and the Fittipaldi family that dates back to 1970.
That year, his grandfather, Emerson Fittipaldi, competed against his great-uncle Wilson Fittipaldi in the Brazilian Sportscar Championship. Emerson drove a Lola T210, while Wilson raced a T70 Mk3B.
Emerson later returned to Lola machinery in 1988, competing in the CART PPG IndyCar World Series with the T87/00 and establishing himself as a championship contender.
The connection continued through Wilson’s son, Christian Fittipaldi, who secured 12 CART IndyCar podiums while racing for Newman/Haas Racing with Lola machinery.
Christian also claimed victory at the 2000 season finale at Fontana Speedway before representing Brazil in the final four rounds of the inaugural A1 Grand Prix season in 2006, driving the Lola B05/52.
More than five decades after the family’s earliest involvement with the manufacturer, Enzo will now carry that connection into Formula E.
Preston confident in Fittipaldi’s potential
Lola Formula E Team Principal Mark Preston believes Fittipaldi’s experience across different championships will help him adapt to the demands of electric racing.
Preston also highlighted the Brazilian’s technical understanding and his early contribution to development work with the team.
“Enzo is a great fit for Lola Formula E, bringing experience from a range of single-seater series that will prove beneficial as he transitions to all-electric racing. He has the talent, work ethic and technical understanding to be a great asset as we enter this new era for the sport and during testing he has shown a strong ability to work effectively alongside the engineers to help us extract as much performance as possible from the T004 .”
Fittipaldi will partner Shwartzman, who brings experience from Formula 3, Formula 2, Formula 1 development roles, endurance racing and IndyCar.
Shwartzman claimed the 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship before finishing runner-up in Formula 2 in 2021. He subsequently won in the FIA World Endurance Championship and secured pole position for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 as a rookie.
Like Fittipaldi, Shwartzman has already participated in testing of the Lola T004. He will also combine his Formula E commitments with a programme in the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Lola prepares for the GEN4 era
Lola’s decision to field two rookies marks a fresh approach as Formula E introduces its next generation of technical regulations.
The team will continue working with Yamaha, which has played an important role in developing the GEN4 powertrain.
The new regulations introduce a substantial increase in performance, with GEN4 cars designed to deliver up to 600kW of power and feature permanent all-wheel drive. The changes represent one of the most significant technical developments in Formula E’s history.
For Lola, the challenge will involve developing a competitive new package while helping two drivers adapt to a championship where energy management, strategy and racecraft play crucial roles.
The team’s previous pairing of Lucas di Grassi and Zane Maloney will not continue into the new era, following di Grassi’s retirement from racing and Maloney’s move to Nissan.
Both Fittipaldi and Shwartzman will have an important opportunity to build their understanding of the machinery during the official pre-season test at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid, scheduled for 16–20 November 2026.
With its driver line-up confirmed and development work continuing alongside Yamaha, Lola will now focus on preparing for the opening round of the 2026/27 Formula E season in Jeddah on 18 December.
For Fittipaldi, the move to Formula E offers another opportunity to establish himself on the international stage while extending his family’s long-standing relationship with Lola into a new generation of motorsport.
