In a welcome move for his fans, British racing driver Jake Hughes has secured a return to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Hughes, who was left without a race seat after Maserati MSG Racing's exit, has been signed by Mahindra Racing for the crucial role of Reserve and Simulator Driver for Season 12.
Mahindra Bolsters Its Lineup Ahead of GEN4 Era
The Indian outfit made the announcement just days before the second round of the season, the Mexico City E-Prix, scheduled for January 9-10. Hughes will work alongside fellow reserve driver Kush Maini. The duo will be on standby to step in for the team's primary drivers, Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries, should the need arise.
Mahindra Racing confirmed the news via a social media post, stating: "We are pleased to welcome Jake Hughes to Mahindra Racing as Reserve and Simulator Driver for Season 12, alongside Kush Maini. Jake will play a key role in helping the team learn, grow and prepare as we look ahead to the GEN4 era."
From Race Seat to a Key Development Role
The 31-year-old Hughes made his Formula E debut with NEOM McLaren in 2022 and stayed with the team until 2024. For the 2024-25 season (Season 11), he moved to Maserati MSG Racing, where he notably secured a podium finish at the Jeddah E-Prix alongside Stoffel Vandoorne. The team's subsequent withdrawal from the championship left Hughes off the initial Season 12 grid.
This new role at Mahindra not only marks his return to the series but also a significant opportunity to contribute to the team's development. His experience will be vital as Mahindra prepares for the future GEN4 era of Formula E. Notably, Hughes also serves as a simulator driver for the McLaren Formula 1 team, bringing valuable expertise from the pinnacle of motorsport.
Who is Jake Hughes?
Jake Hughes began his competitive racing journey in karting at the age of 16. His career highlights include:
- Winning the BRDC Formula 4 Championship.
- Securing multiple race victories in Formula 3 with HWA Racelab.
- Competing in Formula 2 before transitioning to Formula E.
In his personal life, Hughes is married to Abby Venencia and often shares moments with her on social media. The Formula E community warmly welcomed his return, with the championship's official Instagram page commenting "Let's gooooo!" on the announcement. Fans also praised the move, with one calling it a "brilliant move for the Gen 4 development."
This strategic signing strengthens Mahindra Racing's technical arsenal as they aim to climb the competitive ladder in the all-electric racing series.
