PREVIEW: DS PENSKE set for a resurgent Formula E season
- Lucrezia Marano
- 7 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Written by Lucrezia Marano, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
In the lead-up to Formula E’s Season 12, DIVEBOMB’s writers preview the season ahead for each of the 10 teams taking part in the all-electric racing series. The fifth part of this series looks at a team aiming to go bigger with an exciting line-up in 2026…..
Team history - DS Penske
The DS PENSKE squad is the result of a long-standing partnership between the French manufacturer DS Automobiles and American racing outfit Penske Motorsport, founded by Jay Penske in 2007. The collaboration dates back to the start of the GEN3 Era of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
DS first entered Formula E in 2015, becoming one of the championship’s earliest stalwarts — and one of the most successful manufacturers, with multiple wins under its belt. On the other hand, Penske Autosport has roots going back further in motorsport (IndyCar) and has competed in every Formula E season since its debut, in 2014.
The result: a Franco-American outfit blending DS’s electrical powertrain and brand prestige with Penske’s racing infrastructure and experience. As the series evolves, DS Penske has remained an established, serious competitor.
The drivers: A refreshed driver line-up at DS Penske for 2026
DS PENSKE’s biggest headline heading into the new campaign is its striking new driver combination: experience paired with youthful firepower.
Maximilian Günther - the steady hand
Retained for another season, Maximilian Günther remains as the cornerstone of the team’s competitive ambitions. At 28, he has grown into one of Formula E’s most complete drivers: quick in qualifying, ice-cool under pressure, and capable of squeezing performance out of difficult situations.
His 2025 form was proof of that: two race wins, two pole positions and several standout performances, including a famous win in the first Pit Boost race in Jeddah, and a memorable 1-2 finish with his then-teammate Jean-Éric Vergne in Shanghai. While inconsistency hampered his championship run, the raw speed was unmistakably present.
Günther enters the new season not just as a team leader, but as a potential front-runner, if DS Penske can deliver a more predictable package in Season 12.
Taylor Barnard - a rising star joins the fold
Replacing long-time DS figurehead Vergne is Britain’s Taylor Barnard, arguably the most exciting young talent the series has produced in years.
After a sensational rookie season with McLaren in 2025 that brought him five podiums, two pole positions and fourth in the standings, Barnard arrives with momentum and the confidence of a driver who already knows how to fight at the front.
His reputation as Formula E’s youngest pole-sitter, youngest podium finisher and youngest point scorer speaks volumes. But it’s his racecraft, calm, calculated and already remarkably mature, that makes his pairing with Günther so compelling.
If he adapts to DS machinery quickly, Barnard could become one of the season’s defining stories.
Team structure and behind-the-scenes additions
DS Penske enters 2026 with continuity at a leadership level, as Jay Penske continues as team principal a valuable commodity in a championship where stability is often underrated.
With Penske Autosports overseeing operations and DS providing the powertrain and technical experience, the team retains a unified identity heading into the new campaign.
One fresh area of focus is the team’s involvement in Formula E’s all-women test, where Lindsay Brewer and Jessica Edgar took the wheel. Although not officially selected as reserve drivers, their selections hints that DS Penske may be developing a broader talent programme, aligning with the championship’s drive for greater female representation.
Pre-season testing: Quiet confidence in Valencia
The Season 12 pre-season test at Valencia offered the first proper glimps of DS Penske’s prospects. Running the latest DS E-TENSE FE25, both drivers managed competitive laps across the week.
Barnard delivered one of the standout moments of the test when clocking a lap just 0.002s slower than Oliver Rowland’s benchmark time, a sign that he is already settling in and that the FE25 possesses raw qualifying pace.
While Mahindra and other rivals topped the combined timing sheets, DS walked away satisfied, especially with long-run consistency and energy-management refinement. The building blocks appear to be in place.
Looking Back: A mixed but promising 2025 Campaign
DS Penske finished fifth in the Teams’ Championship last season: a respectable position but below the title-challenging heights the DS brand has previously reached.
The team had the pace for big results, demonstrated by Günther’s victories and Vergne’s steady run to sixth in the Championship, but struggled to maximise points across the full calendar. Variability in race-to-race performance proved costly.
Still, the season showed that the team can challenge for wins when conditions suit. With greater consistency, a stronger qualifying baseline and improved intra-team strategy, there’s no reason for DS PENSKE to rejoin the fight at the front.
What to watch from DS Penske in 2026
Several storylines will define the team’s new chapter:
The Günther-Barnard dynamic
One experienced race-winner, one rising star. If they work together effectively, DS PENSKE could have one of the grid’s most balanced line-ups. Internal harmony (or lack of it) will heavily shape their season.
Barnard’s adaptation curve
The Briton was electric in his rookie year. If he can transition smoothly in the new team, he could become a podium regular almost immediately, and maybe score his first win.
Race day consistency
The FE25 has shown glimpses of pace, but the big test will be turning speed in points every race weekend, something DS struggled to do in the past few seasons.
Bold prediction for DS Penske in 2026
Expect to see the team at the front again, with a new, strong line-up and a car that seems to be ready to fight for points and podiums. DS PENSKE is set to represent one of the biggest competitors for this upcoming season.
