Formula E: Why did Citroen replace Maserati in Formula E?
On the back of their maiden Formula E victory, F1Technical's senior writer, Balazs Szabo, reflects on the decision that led Stellantis to make a key change to its portfolio, swapping Maserati for Citroën in the all-electric single-seater series.
Citroën made its return to top‑level motorsport at last month's Sao Paulo E-Prix which played host to the season-opening round of the 2025/2026 FIA Formula E Championship.
The French marque has now secured its maiden Formula E victory at last Saturday’s Mexico City E‑Prix — a breakthrough win delivered by Nick Cassidy in only the team’s second race.
The triumph in Mexico City, achieved through a stunning charge from 13th on the grid, instantly validated Citroën’s decision to commit to the all‑electric championship. It also underscored the brand’s belief that Formula E represents the most forward‑looking form of motorsport: fully electric, technologically ambitious, and rooted in sustainability.
Why did Citroen join Formula E?Citroën describes its entry into the championship as “an electric, innovative and passionate adventure that embodies our values and our vision for the mobility of tomorrow.”
The manufacturer emphasises that Formula E’s 100% electric format, its responsible and committed ethos, and its city‑centre race calendar align perfectly with Citroën’s identity and future direction.
“Citroën is returning to motorsport, an arena that shaped its history and legend — motorsport in its most visionary form: a 100% electric, responsible and committed competition with popular races in the heart of cities, a young, committed, connected audience and a technological, international showcase for the future of mobility.”
A Return Built on Heritage — and Immediate SuccessCitroën Racing’s competitive pedigree is among the most decorated in modern motorsport. The team has won titles in every discipline it has entered, including: nine FIA World Rally Championship Drivers’ titles with Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, eight WRC Manufacturers’ titles, four Dakar Rally victories, three FIA World Touring Car Championship Drivers’ titles, three WTCC Teams’ World Championships and multiple FIA Cross‑Country Rally World Cup crowns.
Yet despite this illustrious history, the brand’s first Formula E victory — achieved last weekend — represents a new kind of milestone. Cassidy’s win not only delivered Citroën’s first success in the championship but also marked Formula E’s 150th race, adding symbolic weight to the achievement.
A strategic shift within StellantisCitroën’s arrival in Formula E comes as part of a broader Stellantis motorsport realignment. With Maserati MSG stepping aside, Citroën has been identified as the group’s most strategically aligned brand for the electric, urban‑focused championship.
Stellantis oversees a huge portfolio: Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Opel, Abarth. Each brand can’t have its own top‑tier programme, so Stellantis periodically reshapes who races where.
In fact, Maserati left Formula E because Stellantis decided Citroën was a better strategic fit for the championship, while Maserati’s brand identity aligns more naturally with GT and performance racing.
