Sébastien Buemi faces uncertain Formula E future as WEC clashes threaten Envision seat

Buemi’s Formula E future caught in calendar squeeze

Sébastien Buemi has admitted his Formula E future may no longer be entirely in his own hands, with the newly announced 2027 calendar creating a major complication for his long-running dual programme with Toyota in the World Endurance Championship.

For a driver trying to remain competitive across a full championship, that is a brutal equation. Missing four races would effectively compromise any serious title ambition, and Envision has contractual clauses allowing it to assess alternatives if Buemi cannot skip WEC commitments. The team’s longer-term direction is already under scrutiny after confirmation that Envision and Jaguar will extend their Formula E partnership into the Gen4 era, making driver availability an even more sensitive factor.

‘I still have hope’

Asked whether continuing with both programmes looked realistic, Buemi told RacingNews365: “You have to ask Sylvain [Filippi], but, first of all, we’ve often seen small changes to the calendar in the past.”

He added: “So, even though I guess it’s unlikely to change, I still have hope that somehow, maybe, something will change. We’ll see. I think it’s an open discussion with the team. I know it sounds like a lot of races, but there are also a lot of races in the championship next year - 21.”

Buemi’s stance is clear: he intends to fight for his place. “I’m going to try hard to be on the grid next year, try very hard, but ultimately, I guess it’s going to be out of my hands,” he said.

A decision beyond readiness

Buemi has tested Jaguar’s Gen4 machinery and wants to continue with Envision, but he accepts that willingness alone may not solve the calendar conflict. He also underlined how fortunate he feels to race in Formula E and WEC while supporting Red Bull as an F1 simulator driver.

Asked whether he would be ready to leave Formula E, Buemi replied: “I don’t think you ever really feel ready, to be honest. At some point, you may be forced to [leave].”

He added that while he believes he has produced some strong races this year, he still wants more. The frustration is not only sporting; it is personal. “Unfortunately, it may not be my call. That’s the sad thing,” he concluded.