Opel is returning to top-level motorsport. Starting in the 2026/27 season, the German brand will compete in the ABB-FIA Formula E World Championship with the Opel GSE Formula E team. This was announced today in Madrid by CEO Florian Huettl and Formula E Director Jeff Dodds. The contract is valid for four years.
Almost at the same time, Stellantis' sister brand, DS Automobiles, announced its withdrawal from the series. After eleven years, 18 victories and two drivers' and two constructors' titles, it's over. This is no coincidence. Opel could actually take over the infrastructure and know-how of DS within the Stellantis group. Three brands in Formula E would be too much even for a large group, as Citroën and Maserati also participate in it.
For Opel, this means a return to the big stage of motorsport. The brand has previously celebrated successes in the World Rally Championship, the DTM series and endurance racing. For years, however, its participation has been limited to the field of young talents. With the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup and the new Mokka GSE Rally, they are betting on electric rallying. The entry into Formula E now means a leap into the official FIA World Championship.
The time seems right. From the 2026/27 season, the fourth generation of cars will enter Formula E. The GEN4 cars will reach up to 600 kW (816 hp) in qualifying and in “Attack” mode, which is 250 kW more than before. Permanent all-wheel drive instead of occasional rear-wheel drive should provide more spectacle. Energy recovery is increased to up to 700 kW. Opel Motorsport Director Jörg Schrott is currently putting together the team.
But despite all the excitement, questions remain. How much Opel is actually in the race cars? In Formula E, the manufacturers mainly develop the powertrain and software. The chassis, battery and most of the electronics are unified. The designation “works team” sounds more important than it actually is from a technical point of view. Opel is using the development work that Stellantis Motorsport has already done for DS and Maserati.
The brand's commitment is aimed at promoting its GSE sub-brand. GSE stands for Grand Sport Electric and refers to sporty electric models such as the Mokka GSE and the upcoming Corsa GSE. The Rallye Mokka develops 207 kW (281 hp), and the production model adopts many of the technical details. Formula E is intended to strengthen the sporty image of the electric vehicle range.
Critics still view Formula E with skepticism. The tight city circuit races provide action, but the true charm of motorsport is missing. Viewership remains modest, even though the series describes itself as the “fastest growing.” Many manufacturers, such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes, have already pulled out.
For Opel, it is not so much about sporting success as about marketing. A return to the World Championship attracts attention and underlines their competence in the field of electric vehicles. Whether the project will be successful in both sporting and economic terms will become clear from April 2027 onwards. That is when the 2026/27 season will begin. The first public appearance will be in April 2026 at the GEN4 presentation in Le Castellet.
