Andre Lotterer announces end of his single seater career, Andretti confirms Formula E retirement

Andre Lotterer is leaving Formula E. The 41-year-old German wrote in an Instagram post that he is retiring from single seater racing and will therefore no longer compete in the electric series next season. His previous team, Andretti, confirmed the veteran's departure.

"It's time for me to close a 26 year chapter of single seater racing," Lotterer announced. "I have decided not to race anymore in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to fully focus on my challenge with Porsche Penske Motorsport to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans (for the 4th time) and the FIA World Endurance Championship."

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Andre Lotterer (@andre_lotterer)

The Duisburg-born driver thus confirms the speculation of recent months about his Formula E exit. The reason also comes as no surprise. "We can confirm that Andre Lotterer will not be returning to the team in 2024," Andretti wrote on his social media channels. "We would like to thank Andre for all his efforts and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."

Lotterer looks back with pride on a long career in monoposto racing: "It has been a great ride racing in Formula BMW & Formula Renault to Formula 3, Champ Car, Formula Nippon, Super Formula, Formula 1 and finally the Formula E family which I joined at the start of Season 4 back in 2017."

8 podiums, but no win

Lotterer made his Formula E debut at the end of 2017 at the double-header in Hong Kong for the then Renault customer team Techeetah, celebrating his first podium in his fourth race after a thrilling duel with teammate and friend Jean-Eric Vergne - he was never to get closer to victory. In total, he stood on the Formula E podium eight times, took two pole positions and three fastest laps. However, he was denied a win.

Thank you, Andre ❤️

We can confirm that @Andre_Lotterer will not be returning to the team in 2024.

We would like to thank Andre for all his efforts and wish him the very best in his future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/p5XPlEM3nP

- Andretti Formula E (@AndrettiFE) September 8, 2023

"I would like to thank the people that helped me join this innovative and exciting Championship; Leo Thomas, Julian & Alexander Jakobi, JEV & the Techeetah team! The adventures together were great!" said Lotterer.

In Season 6, Lotterer moved to newcomer Porsche for two years before competing for Andretti last season. "A big thanks to TAG Heuer Porsche FE too who gave me the opportunity to lead the team into their Formula E debut in Season 6! Last but not least, my engineer Fabrice Roussel who has shown amazing support since the beginning and all the way through the three Formula E teams, and the Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team for trusting me during Season 9."

Lotterer praises Formula E: "Most challenging & fun championship"

Lotterer closes his post with an ode to Formula E and its founders: "I would like to personally thank Alejandro Agag, his team & the FIA for creating Formula E, it has been a fantastic journey and you have changed many of our lives."

"Formula E has been the most challenging and fun Championship I have competed in!" Lotterer continues. "I am extremely grateful & proud to have raced in Formula E, promoting all the sustainable technologies and for meeting the amazing people in this paddock, a few of which have become my best friends today. Thank you all for the amazing support all those years."

It is yet to be decided who will take over the Andretti cockpit from Lotterer alongside Jake Dennis. A decision by the US team is likely to be made by the time of the pre-season tests in Valencia at the very latest, which begin on 23 October.