FORMULA E RISING STAR TAYLOR BARNARD JOINS DS PENSKE ALONGSIDE MAXIMILIAN GÜNTHER

• Taylor Barnard, coming off the back of record-breaking debut Formula E season, signs for DS Automobiles and PENSKE AUTOSPORT
• At just 21, the young British talent becomes teammate to Maximilian Günther in the Franco-American team
• DS Automobiles pays tribute Jean-Eric Vergne for his immense contribution to the marque’s remarkable Formula E success

Taylor Barnard – the youngest driver in Formula E history to participate in an E-Prix (Monaco 2024, finishing 14th), score points (Berlin 2024, finishing 10th and eighth), claim a podium (third in Sao Paulo 2025), as well as take pole position (second in Jeddah 2025) – will join DS PENSKE as team mate to Maximilian Günther.

Having sealed five podiums and two pole positions in a career that has spanned only 19 races to date (three races in Season 10 and 16 races in Season 11) the ABB FIA Formula E Championship prodigy will start Season 12 at the wheel of the DS E-TENSE FE25 developed by DS Performance.

An assertive driver who is capable of pulling off some magnificent overtaking moves, the youngest man on the grid – aged just 21 – will have an ultra-competitive car at his disposal and be on a mission to highlight the electric technology from DS Automobiles on Formula E circuits all over the world.

With a line-up of Taylor Barnard and Maximilian Günther (who claimed two wins and two pole positions in Season 11) DS Automobiles is aiming to reinforce its brilliant track record with more wins and the quest to add to its collection of world titles.

After three seasons at the heart of the Franco-American squad and achieving some excellent results from 2022 to 2025 (eight podiums, one win and three pole positions), the sport’s only two-time champion Jean-Eric Vergne and DS PENSKE have decided to part ways. This brings a magnificent sporting and human history between ‘Jev’ and DS Automobiles to a close, which has helped to elevate the brand all over the world. Over the course of eight seasons, the incredible shared results have included two teams’ titles, one drivers’ title, six wins, 25 podiums and 11 pole positions.

The official tests ahead of Season 12 will take place in Valencia, Spain, from 27-31 October, with the first race getting underway in Sao Paulo (Brazil) on 6 December.

Eugenio Franzetti, DS Performance director:

“We are delighted to welcome Formula E’s young prodigy into our team! His youth, talent and motivation will be essential qualities to help him bag some podiums and get in among the leaders of this new season that’s about to begin. I’m sure that he’ll form a great team with Max and be able to get the very most out of our DS E-TENSE FE25. At the same time, I would like to thank Formula E’s only double champion, with whom it has been an absolute pleasure to work throughout eight seasons. Jean-Eric’s knowledge and commitment have made a huge contribution to everything that we have achieved as a brand. This incredibly productive collaboration between ‘Jev’ and DS Automobiles is sure to write an important chapter in the history of Formula E.”

Taylor Barnard:

“I’m delighted to join DS PENSKE for Season 12. The team has solid experience in Formula E and I can’t wait to get working alongside Max to go after some top results! Formula E is a unique competition; I feel ready now to continue on this trajectory I’ve started and fight at the front!”

Maximilian Günther:

“I am excited to enter my second season as a DS PENSKE driver. There were plenty of highlights in our first season together, which was characterised by quality and strong performances. Now I’m very much looking forward to building on this base in our second season. Having Taylor as my new teammate is fantastic; he is a brilliant driver and a great addition to our team. There’s an incredible spirit running through the whole team and I can’t wait to get the new season started!”

Key figures since DS Automobiles entered Formula E:

• 137 races
• 4 championship titles
• 18 victories
• 55 podiums
• 26 pole positions

ENDS

PRESS CONTACTS

Krystyna Perry – Head of PR DS Automobiles UK krystyna.perry@stellantis.com 07710 062 783 

Manesh Taank – PR Manager DS Automobiles UK manesh.taank@stellantis.com 07841 569 038 

ABOUT DS AUTOMOBILES

Founded in Paris in 2014, DS Automobiles is a premium brand aiming to embody the French art of travel. Thanks to an exceptional heritage, exemplified by the 1955 DS and enriched by the wealth of French culture, DS Automobiles offers a global and diverse range with DS 3, N° 4, DS 7 and N°8. 

Designed for a clientele seeking something different, who want to travel the world and enjoy every moment, DS creations stand out through their charismatic style, interior refinement, sophisticated technology and first-class comfort. Combined with a suite of bespoke services, they offer a unique brand experience before, during and after each journey. 

With numerous records since its entry into Formula E in 2015, including two double Teams’ and Drivers’ titles, DS Automobiles is at the forefront of electrification and sells each of its models in an electrified version. The Brand offers 100% electric drivetrains as well as self-charging and plug-in hybrids with up to 360 horsepower and 4-wheel drive. In 2025, DS Automobiles is accelerating its transition to electric by launching N°4 with 279 miles of range and N°8, the new DS flagship providing up to 466 miles of range.

With a presence in 40 countries, the DS brand has an exclusive distribution network that includes nearly 450 DS STORES around the world. 

Follow news from DS on www.DSautomobiles.co.uk and @DS_UK

ABOUT PENSKE AUTOSPORT

PENSKE AUTOSPORT is an American racing team founded in 2007 by Jay Penske. The team is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the largest single metropolitan EV market in the world.

After many successful years competing in IndyCar (2007-2014), the team embraced the shift to electric mobility and became one of the founding teams of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The team motto is the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” – meaning “out of many, there is one.