Formula E bombshell: Taylor Barnard appears set to leave Fortescue Zero – move to Porsche customer Fusion?

A major twist in the Formula E driver market: Just weeks after signing with Fortescue Zero Racing, Taylor Barnard reportedly wants to leave the team already. According to a media report, his management is attempting to invalidate his contract, with a potential move to the new Porsche customer team Fusion emerging as an alternative. However, Fortescue Zero insists the Briton remains under contract – and the FIA could ultimately have a say in his future.

Taylor Barnard's Formula E future appeared to be settled. On 12 October, Fortescue Zero Racing confirmed the 22-year-old as its first driver for the 2026/27 season. Alongside fellow signing Dan Ticktum, Barnard was set to race for the new Australian outfit, which has taken over the former DS Penske operation and will compete with Jaguar powertrains. However, less than a month after the announcement, the partnership could collapse before the first race.

According to FE Notebook, Barnard's management company, PHM Racing Academy GmbH, raised legal objections to his contract with Fortescue Zero last weekend. The apparent aim is to have the agreement declared invalid. The specific contractual provisions being challenged have not been disclosed.

Fortescue Zero insists Barnard remains under contract

The team, however, appears unwilling to let Barnard leave without a fight. Speaking to FE Notebook, a Fortescue Zero Racing spokesperson explicitly confirmed that the British driver remains under contract with the outfit. The team declined to comment on individual contractual matters.

Instead, Fortescue Zero stressed that its focus remains on preparations for the upcoming season and expressed confidence in fielding a strong and competitive driver line-up.

The apparent tensions are also reflected in the team's upcoming official launch. Fortescue Zero Racing is set to present itself publicly in London on Friday, 6 November. Barnard had originally been expected to attend as one of its two drivers, but according to the report, he will not be present at the event.

Fusion switch: Could Barnard race a Porsche instead of a Jaguar?

Should Barnard manage to secure his release from Fortescue Zero, another Formula E opportunity could await him. According to FE Notebook, the new Porsche customer team Fusion is considered a likely alternative.

A potential connection exists through Barnard's manager Paul Mueller, who negotiated his Fortescue Zero contract while plans for the new team's entry were taking shape. Fusion is backed by entrepreneur Dan Richards' SAJ Finance and is expected to compete with Porsche powertrains in the Gen4 era.

Turkish racing driver Ayhancan Güven has been linked with one of the team's two seats. The second remains unfilled and is considered the final available full-time seat on Formula E's expanded 24-car grid.

However, it has not been confirmed whether Barnard or his management have already entered into concrete negotiations with Fusion. Nor is it clear whether a potential move to the Porsche customer team is actually the reason behind the contractual dispute.

FIA could have the final say on a team switch

Even if Barnard's management succeeds in terminating his existing contract, a move to Fusion would not necessarily be straightforward. Formula E's regulations contain a specific provision covering drivers who have already been nominated by a team for the World Championship.

Article 9.2 of the General Provisions states that such a driver cannot simply compete for another entrant. In principle, the original team's consent is required. If that consent is withheld, the FIA may decide at its own discretion whether to permit the switch.

As Barnard has already been officially nominated as a Fortescue Zero Racing driver, this provision could become a crucial factor in the dispute. Even if his contract were declared invalid, that would not automatically clear the way for him to race for Fusion.

Time is running out. Official pre-season testing at Jarama is scheduled for mid-November, while the full driver entry list for the new season is due to be published by 15 November. By then, the question of which team Barnard will actually represent may need to be resolved.

For Fortescue Zero Racing, a last-minute departure would be a particularly bitter blow. When Barnard's signing was announced, team principal Jim Wright described the young Briton as an important part of the new outfit's development. Now, having already confirmed its full driver line-up with Barnard and Ticktum, the team faces the prospect of an unexpected vacancy just before the start of the Gen4 era.