Though Lola Yamaha ABT left the 2025/26 Formula E Jeddah E-Prix double-header weekend empty-handed, the team has collected valuable data for improvement.
Lola has endured a tough start to Season 12, sitting tenth in the Teams’ Standings with no point-scoring finishes. However, the FE Jeddah E-Prix marked an important weekend in the new season as it saw the return of PIT BOOST, forcing teams to carefully consider their race strategies. This allowed the team to test different strategies and build on their pace.
Round 4 difficulties
The first race day of the FE Jeddah double-header saw di Grassi qualify P9 and Maloney P10 in their respective groups, showing promising pace. However, for the starting grid, di Grassi was hit with a three-place grid penalty from Miami, lining up in P20 with his teammate ahead in P19.
Maloney had a strong start, making up six places on Lap 1 before misfortune struck as he suffered damage during a collision with CUPRA KIRO’s Pepe Martí, forcing him to retire. Di Grassi, on the other hand, finished the race in P16, showing strong pace and energy management despite not being able to challenge for points.
Lola Yamaha ABT on Day 1 results
Speaking after the race, Maloney reflected on his unfortunate DNF and the positives that he is looking to carry over into Round 5.
“Unfortunately the race only lasted three corners for us but in those three corners we made up six places so were off to a very good start,” he said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow [Round 5] as we were quite quick today in qualifying and were a tenth from the duels. We will be making small tweaks for tomorrow to try to come back stronger and hopefully have a good qualifying so we can try to stay out of the chaos in the race at least for the first lap.”
With a P16 finish, di Grassi shared: “It was a tough race today but we managed to do the best we could. Although we finished 16th and didn’t score any points, we were very close to the pack. The pace was good and we managed to fight with some Porsches in the race, which for us was a good reference. We will analyse the data and try to take everything we’ve learned today to ensure we improve the car for tomorrow when we go again.”
Team Principal of Lola Yamaha ABT, Mark Preston, also reflected on the team’s results with a glimmer of hope for Saturday’s race.
“After a great start from Zane it was a shame that he had a coming together with Martí and was taken out of the race, especially as he showed good pace in qualifying. Although Lucas didn’t finish in the points, the team did an excellent job meaning he had a near perfect race operationally. With another race to come tomorrow, we have another opportunity to hopefully score some points here in Jeddah.”
Finding pace in Round 5
Round 5 of the Formula E Jeddah E-Prix extended Lola Yamaha ABT’s points drought, though the day saw clear improvement in qualifying and race execution.
With both drivers running in Group B qualifying, Maloney missed out on the duals by 8 hundredths of a second, finishing fifth, while di Grassi was just two and a half tenths behind in P10. Maloney ultimately lined up in P10, marking his best start yet, and di Grassi in P19.
The race saw the Lola duo make their way up the grid with di Grassi taking an early ATTACK MODE boost that launched him into P4. Whereas Maloney was running well in P9 when contact with Martí from behind damaged his rear plate, though he was able to continue in the race. He served his first ATTACK MODE, but soon dropped down the field again because his competitors attacked later in the race.
Ultimately, di Grassi crossed the chequered flag in P16 with Maloney behind in P18.
Maloney: “keep in high spirits and keep pushing on”
Reflecting on the race, di Grassi said: “We started the race very strong, coming all the way from the back up to P4 in our first ATTACK MODE. We had a good race and really did the best we could, pushing and fighting very hard but unfortunately the car is not quite there yet. We need to continue to work hard to improve the car, especially on performance laps, but we will get there, manage to score points and make all the Lola fans proud.”
Maloney highlighted the team’s strong qualifying performance and race start, while noting the challenges with ATTACK MODE and cooling.
“Today the team had an amazing qualifying where we were able to really maximise the car, which was a good feeling. The first half of the race we were P8 having made up two places at the beginning and felt quite good in the pack but then when everyone took ATTACK MODE we struggled in 350kW so it was quite difficult for us. We also had a tear off from the visor which got stuck in the cooling which then led to us dropping back,” he explained.
“Generally, the team are doing a great job, in races where everything matters we are a bit behind but everyone is working very hard to see what we can do to make small improvements. The team are working very well together which shows in qualifying when we have the performance and maximise everything. We will continue this way, keep in high spirits and keep pushing on.”
Preston on the Jeddah E-Prix double-header
Wrapping up the Formula E Jeddah E-Prix weekend, Preston shared, “Overall it has been a positive weekend with Zane qualifying 10th today which is his highest position so far this season. The race was well executed by the team with a good race from the drivers, effective communication and well implemented strategy. We can come away feeling we are making progress in the background and are looking forward to the next races where we can continue to build on our processes.”
The team will now have a longer break to reset, with the Madrid E-Prix scheduled for March 21st at the Circuito del Jarama.
