Lola Yamaha ABT to run Hugh Barter and Richard Verschoor for Madrid Formula E Rookie Test

Written by Teagan Crump

Lola Yamaha ABT have announced that they will be fielding both Hugh Barter and Richard Verschoor for the Formula E Rookie Test in Madrid on March 22nd.

The Madrid Rookie Test will be Hugh Barter's fourth time trialling Formula E machinery, the 20-year-old also serves as the team's Simulator Test Driver. At the Miami Rookie Free Practice, Barter also drove for Lola Yamaha ABT and finished the session in ninth. Most recently, Barter raced in the 2025 Ultimate Cup European Series, where he took nine race wins and finished fourth in the standings.

After the announcement, Barter said:

“Following the Rookie Free Practice in Miami in January, I’m really looking forward to having more time on track in the T001, both for my own experience and to help provide more in-depth feedback to the team.” 

Richard Verschoor, however, has never driven a Formula E car. In 2026, the Dutch driver will be racing in the European Le Mans Series as well as serving as McLaren Formula One's Development Driver.

Verschoor stated:

"I’m excited to be joining Lola Yamaha ABT for the Rookie Test in Madrid. Driving the T001 will be my first outing in a Formula E car. I’m eager to learn and push forward together with the team.”

Lola Yamaha ABT Team Principal, Mark Preston, also said:

“We are very pleased to have Richard join us for the Rookie Test in Madrid. He is a fast, knowledgeable and promising driver who we are sure will be a great asset to the team over the weekend.

“It’s also great that Hugh is once again joining us to take to the track in the Lola T001. The more time he spends with us both on track and in the sim, the more invaluable his feedback has become. So, we look forward to getting additional input from him in Madrid while giving him crucial development time on track.”

Rookie Free Practice (Madrid): The roster (so far)

Porsche: Ayhancan Güven and Elia Weiss

Envision: Ella Lloyd

Lola Yamaha ABT: Hugh Barter and Richard Verschoor