In a significant move for both the brand and the championship, Opel has officially announced its entry into the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The German manufacturer will join the grid from Season 13 (2026/27), competing as a full factory team under the banner of the Opel GSE Formula E Team .
The announcement was made jointly by Opel CEO Florian Huettl and Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds ahead of the Madrid E-Prix, confirming a four-year commitment to the all-electric series . The timing is particularly strategic: Opel’s debut coincides with the introduction of the revolutionary GEN4 regulations, representing the most significant performance leap in Formula E’s history .
A Strategic Entry with GEN4
Opel’s decision to enter at the start of the GEN4 era was deliberate. The new generation of race cars delivers a peak output of up to 600 kW (816 hp) in qualifying and Attack Mode a substantial increase of 250 kW (340 hp) over the current GEN3 Evo cars . GEN4 also introduces permanent all-wheel drive, providing enhanced traction and unlocking new strategic dimensions for manufacturers and teams .
“Joining Formula E marks a new milestone for Opel on our journey towards an electric future,” said Florian Huettl, Opel CEO. “With Formula E moving to GEN4 cars as of the coming season, we see this as the ideal time to join this exciting, all-electric racing competition” .
The GSE Sub-Brand Takes Center Stage
The team’s name Opel GSE Formula E Team directly connects the racing program to Opel’s high-performance electric sub-brand. GSE stands for “Grand Sport Electric” and currently features models such as the Mokka GSE, with the all-electric Corsa GSE set to launch in 2026 .
Jeff Dodds, Formula E CEO, welcomed Opel’s commitment: “As a strong German brand with distinctive engineering expertise and a fresh, bold image, Opel brings a long and storied history in motorsport and a new dynamic to the starting grid” .
Building on Electric Motorsport Pedigree
While Formula E represents a new chapter, Opel is no stranger to electric racing. The brand pioneered the world’s first electric one-make rally cup in 2021 with the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup, nurturing young talents in the Corsa Rally Electric . More recently, the new Mokka GSE Rally has continued this legacy, offering performance at Rally4 level .
Beyond electric racing, Opel’s motorsport heritage spans decades, including the 1982 World Rally Championship title with Walter Röhrl in the Ascona 400, success in touring cars with the Calibra V6 4×4, and involvement in single-seater categories like Formula Opel and Formula 3 .
Team Structure and Outlook
The Opel GSE Formula E Team will be based in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and led by Jörg Schrott as Team Principal and Motorsport Director . A dedicated team of vehicle, development, and strategy engineers is already in place, preparing for the competitive debut .
As a Stellantis brand, Opel will benefit from the group’s extensive motorsport expertise while contributing its distinctive German engineering approach . The team will make its first public appearance at the official GEN4 launch at Circuit Paul Ricard in April .
For Formula E, Opel’s arrival further strengthens the manufacturer lineup heading into a transformative new era. For Opel, it’s a clear statement: the future of performance is electric, and the brand intends to compete at the highest level.
