Robert Shwartzman joins Lola for Formula E’s GEN4 era

Robert Shwartzman will join Lola Formula E for the championship’s GEN4 era, making his debut in the series while continuing to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The 27-year-old has already been involved in preparations, testing the Lola T004 with the team and technical partner Yamaha.

The move gives the former FIA Formula 3 champion a new single-seater programme after a career spanning junior formulae, sports cars and IndyCar. Lola team principal Mark Preston said Shwartzman would face a learning curve as a newcomer, but highlighted his adaptability across categories and the feedback he has contributed during testing.

A career built across single-seaters and endurance racing

Shwartzman began karting at four before moving into single-seaters in 2014. He won the Toyota Racing Series title in 2018 and the inaugural 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship the following year. In Formula 2, he collected multiple victories and finished runner-up in 2021.

He was part of the Ferrari Driver Academy from 2017 to 2022, and served as a test and reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari and Stake F1 Team. His work included Free Practice appearances and simulator development. He later raced in GT World Challenge Europe and the FIA World Endurance Championship before joining PREMA Racing in the NTT IndyCar Series.

The parallel endurance programme will continue alongside his Formula E campaign. Shwartzman’s return to the WEC ranks is also covered in our report on his Peugeot Hypercar programme.

Lola’s GEN4 preparations are already under way

Shwartzman said the opportunity marked a new chapter after missing racing in 2026, and described the double campaign across Formula E and WEC as demanding. He has wanted to race in the championship for some time, and will enter as it begins the GEN4 era.

His early running in the Lola T004 has given the team a chance to work with him before the season begins. Preston said Shwartzman had integrated well and provided useful input as Lola prepares for Season 2027. The team views his record across different forms of racing as a promising foundation, while recognising that adapting to the Formula E grid will be a significant task.

The new era will bring a distinct challenge for the rookie and his team. Formula E’s planned GEN4 format is also explored in our coverage of the series’ Sprint-race plans.