Hughes makes Formula E return with Kiro

Jake Hughes will return to Formula E after a season away, partnering Pepe Marti at Cupra Kiro.

Hughes replaces Dan Ticktum who had been with the American team throughout its first two seasons in Formula E, as well as three prior seasons under the Nio 333 and ERT guises.

“I’m over the moon to be joining Cupra Kiro,” said Hughes. “It feels like it’s been a long time coming. The team has built the foundations of something very special and hopefully, we can kick on and bring even more success.

“It’s very exciting to be heading into a new era with the arrival of GEN4 – we’ll have fast cars and a lot of technology which I think will suit my driving style really well.

“I’m looking forward to Pre-Season Testing, getting in the car, and getting to work. Hopefully we can win some races!”

Hughes made his Formula E debut with McLaren in 2022-23 after serving as reserve driver at the team's predecessor Mercedes. He remained there for two years, securing four pole positions – including one in only his third start – and a second place in the second race of the Shanghai E-Pris in his second season. He moved to Maserati MSG Racing for 2024-25, getting another podium in Jeddah, but left the team during its transition to Citroen last season.

The 32-year-old tested for Cupra Kiro ahead of the last campaign, but had to settle for a reserve role at Mahindra Racing when Kiro signed Marti to race alongside Ticktum. Alongside his Mahindra role, Hughes raced in the European le Mans Series this year with Algarve Pro Racing, winning at Silverstone.

Hughes' signing was announced on the same day Kiro unvield its livery for the first GEN4 season. Image courtesy of Cupra Kiro

“We’re very excited to welcome Jake to Cupra Kiro for the coming season,” said team principal Russell O’Hagan. “He brings a wealth of Formula E experience, but also a very valuable background in car development having worked closely with some of the leading teams in both Formula E and Formula 1.

“Jake’s one-lap pace has always been a real strength of his, and he has an instinctive feel for extracting performance from a car. With the arrival of GEN4, having a driver who can contribute both on track and through the development process will be invaluable, and from what we’ve seen so far, the characteristics of the GEN4 should suit Jake’s intuitive driving style very well.”

Having previously fielded David Beckmann in his first and only Formula E season, and Marti during his debut campaign, the upcoming season will mark the first time Kiro hasn’t fielded a rookie driver, which O’Hagan is looking forward to.

“Having Jake alongside Pepe also gives us a different dynamic to previous seasons, marking our first season as Kiro Race Co without a rookie driver,” he said. “Having conducted some pre-season work with us last year, Jake already knows the team well and is settling in quickly.

“We’ve been working incredibly hard the last few months on everything GEN4, and now, we’re looking forward to getting Jake in the car, hitting the track, and seeing what we can achieve together.”

The news of Hughes’ signing ends speculation over whether two-time race winner Ticktum would remain with the team, although he is expected to remain on the Formula E grid this season with Fortescue Zero Racing thought to be a likely destination. The Australian team announced Taylor Barnard as its first driver on Monday morning.