Fresh livery and backroom reshuffle as DS TECHEETAH targets titles

DS TECHEETAH has taken the covers off the E-TENSE FE21, revealing its livery for the 2021/22 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship during a shakedown at the Ales circuit in France.

The new take on the team's instantly recognisable black and gold scheme, penned by DS Automobiles' DS Design Studio, was shown off by double champion Jean-Eric Vergne and 2020 title-winner Antonio Felix da Costa - who both return for Season 8.

Management reshuffle

Aside from the sharp new paint scheme, there are changes at management level of the team. After four successful seasons as team principal, Mark Preston will become the team's CEO, with Thomas Chevaucher assuming the role of team principal.

Formula E Unplugged: Watch the unfiltered, inside story of Season 7 now

“This adapted organisation with in the team doesn’t change anything regarding our main goal of winning new titles," says Thomas Chevaucher, DS performance director and DS TECHEETAH team principal. "Thanks to this new arrangement we are focused on racing more than ever and that’s all that matters for DS TECHEETAH and DS Automobiles."

“The business of racing requires a great deal more than just the technical elements and in order to create a sustainable future for TECHEETAH," adds Preston. "I believe that this is the right time for me to concentrate my efforts on the future growth of the team and that of Formula E itself.”

Formula E: 'A permanent lab for expertise and know-how'

DS Automobiles has a firm focus on Formula E's technology transfer from race track to road car, as the world's leading electric motor racing series.

The team's success has informed its automotive development with competition-honed expertise, and the French manufacturer is keen to ensure that continues into Season 8 and beyond.

“The involvement of DS Automobiles in Formula E is a major part of our electrification strategy, which will lead us to produce only 100% electric vehicles from 2024," said Beatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles CEO.

"The qualities of the men and women at DS Performance have been demonstrated by the conquest of two double titles in two consecutive years, as well as by a record of nine wins with our second-generation cars, which no other constructor has managed.

"We use Formula E as a permanent laboratory to bring expertise and know-how to our E-TENSE models for the road, and we want to continue being part of the development of this 100% electric championship to reinforce the reputation of DS Automobiles on every continent.”

DS4

"We're doing all we can to make Season 8 our best yet"

Da Costa and Vergne finished inside the standings' top 10, with a win apiece, the former in Monaco and the latter a little earlier in the season in Rome.

Just a handful of extra points for either would have seen them right in the title mix when the final chequered flag fell in Berlin, given just how close it was. Both are eager to trouble Nyck de Vries and Mercedes-EQ for top spot in 2021/22.

“This is always a really exciting time of year! We’ve worked very hard with all the engineers, mechanics and entire team to give ourselves the best chance of winning races and claiming more titles!" says da Costa. "The new livery looks fantastic and I can’t wait to get back to racing with this team that I’ve been with for three years now and feels like a family to me!”

“I’m absolutely delighted to be starting another season with the team," adds Vergne. "We’ve been doing a lot of work for several months and everyone is extremely motivated by the goal of taking up where we left off as leaders next year. I’m looking forward to some great competition, and we’ll be doing everything to ensure that this becomes our best season in Formula E!”