The 2025-26 Formula E grid might see one fewer team compared to last year with McLaren’s exit, but it remains a competitive field: 14 of this year’s 20 drivers boast at least one race win.
Now, the lineup includes nine champions, particularly after Oliver Rowland’s victory with Nissan last season. The question remains: will this formidable combination lead in the final year of the Gen3 regulations?
This season, three new full-time drivers enter the mix, with each bringing differing levels of experience in Formula E. To assess the teams, our contributors convened and ranked the top 10 based solely on their driver pairings, leaving aside team and vehicle performance.
10 Lola-Yamaha Abt
(Unchanged)
Lucas di Grassi/Zane Maloney
6 points
Best Ranking: 10th (Unanimous)
This lineup unanimously placed last in our rankings. While there were moments of speed last season—especially from di Grassi—Maloney’s winless rookie year was seen as a disadvantage. With doubts about Maloney’s potential, there’s concern that this could be a pivotal season for him.
9 Envision
(Dropped 1 spot)
Sebastien Buemi/Joel Eriksson
16 points
Best Ranking: 8th (GW, JS)
Worst Ranking: 9th (SS, AVdB, MB, JC)
Buemi, the 2015-16 champion, is well-established with Envision, but questions arise regarding Eriksson’s signing. Although he brings experience, concerns linger about his recent racing form and ability to compete effectively.
8 Cupra Kiro
(Improved by 3 spots)
Dan Ticktum/Pepe Marti
26 points
Best Ranking: 5th (MB)
Worst Ranking: 9th (GW, JS)
Marti’s late signing raises eyebrows regarding his readiness and experience. While some contributors are hopeful about Ticktum’s growth, others express skepticism about the rookie’s readiness to handle the challenges of Formula E.
7 Andretti
(Dropped 4 spots)
Jake Dennis/Felipe Drugovich
44 points
Best Ranking: 5th (JS)
Worst Ranking: 7th (SS, GW, JC)
This pairing boasts talent, yet contributors are uncertain if they can meet expectations. Drugovich’s rookie status and Dennis’s recent inconsistent performances lead to this team being placed lower than anticipated.
6 Mahindra
(No change)
Nyck de Vries/Edoardo Mortara
54 points
Best Ranking: 4th (JC, JS)
Worst Ranking: 8th (MB)
As the longest-standing team pairing, De Vries and Mortara demonstrated reliability last season. While both have impressed, questions about De Vries’s racecraft persist, potentially limiting their overall performance this year.
5 Nissan
(No change)
Oliver Rowland/Norman Nato
56 points
Best Ranking: 4th (GW, MB)
Worst Ranking: 7th (AVdB)
Rowland, the defending champion, leads this lineup, with expectations high following his performance last season. Concerns over Nato’s past form and whether he can keep up with Rowland linger in discussions.
4 Porsche
(Dropped 3 spots)
Pascal Wehrlein/Nico Mueller
67 points
Best Ranking: 2nd (GW)
Worst Ranking: 7th (JS, MB)
Porsche’s lineup received mixed reviews. While Wehrlein’s excellence is acknowledged, doubts about Mueller’s capabilities in comparison to his predecessor create a divide among contributors, impacting their overall rank.
3 DS Penske
(Improved by 1 spot)
Maximilian Guenther/Taylor Barnard
85 points
Best Ranking: 2nd (MB)
Worst Ranking: 5th (GW)
This duo shines with tremendous potential. Barnard’s impressive rookie season has set high expectations, and although Guenther has shown inconsistency, he possesses incredible speed that could lead to strong showings this season.
2 Jaguar
(No change)
Mitch Evans/Antonio Felix da Costa
122 points
Best Ranking: 1st (MB, GW)
Worst Ranking: 2nd (SS, AVdB, JS, JC)
With an impressive track record, Jaguar’s pairing remains strong. Experts note their talent and experience could help push the team towards greater achievements. However, some contributors highlight the need for quick adaptation from da Costa.
1 Citroen
(Improved by 5 spots)
Nick Cassidy/Jean-Eric Vergne
130 points
Best Ranking: 1st (SS, AvdB, JS, JC)
Worst Ranking: 3rd (GW, MB)
Rising as the top duo, Citroen’s combination of Cassidy and Vergne showcases an impressive mix of talent and experience. Their ability to work together raises expectations for the upcoming season, with both regarded as top contenders.
