Media report: Hyundai about to enter Formula E in 2028 - with the McLaren team?

The South Korean automotive group Hyundai is currently in intensive talks with the McLaren team. This is reported by the colleagues of The Race. The aim is to enter Formula E as a manufacturer with McLaren as the entry team in 2028. For the start of the Gen4 era at the end of 2026, an entry is therefore not realistic due to other parallel motorsport projects.

There have been rumours about the expansion of Hyundai's motorsport programme for some time. The company has been active in the World Rally Championship (WRC) since 2014 and also competed in the ETCR in 2021 and 2022. Following the exit from the electric touring car series, the South Korean company's entry into Formula E was also the subject of intense discussion.

Hyundai announced in September, however, that it intends to compete in endurance racing in the future and is developing an LMDh racing car for this purpose that is suitable for participation in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the US IMSA sports car series. This is to be used from 2026 under the name of Hyundai's premium brand Genesis. Andre Lotterer and Jamie Chadwick were presented as drivers - both also have Formula E experience.

The signing of Lotterer in particular, a two-time WEC champion with 81 starts and one of the top 15 most experienced Formula E drivers, is interpreted as a sign of Hyundai's future plans. Rally racing could be over at the end of next year - paving the way for a new motorsport project, especially as the development of the LMDh prototype, whose first start is expected at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2026, should also be completed by then.

Formula E fits with the Hyundai strategy

The development of a Formula E drive would make perfect sense for marketing reasons - after all, electrification plays a major role in Hyundai's corporate strategy. However, there is still a question mark over the timing of an entry into the electric series. In view of the fact that the focus will initially be on the development of the Genesis sports car, an entry at the start of the Gen4 era in 2026 seems more than unrealistic.

However, as the Gen4 is also set to have a revised version with a new homologation in 2028, season 15 could be a possible target. According to the FIA rules for manufacturer registration, Hyundai would then have to place the order for the chassis and battery for the development vehicle by 1 July 2026.

Talks with McLaren & Penske?

The South Koreans are already in talks with potential racing teams: at least two Formula E teams - Penske and McLaren - are said to have been contacted in recent months. In the case of current Penske partner DS Automobiles, it is still unclear whether the brand will also be on the grid in the Gen4 era after eleven years in Formula E. The Stellantis parent company has so far only confirmed that its Maserati brand will remain. For Jay Penske's team, the continuation of the alliance with Stellantis would probably be the preferred solution.

McLaren, on the other hand, has signed a contract with Nissan for the supply of customer powertrains for the Gen3 era. The Papaya colours have always ruled out developing their own powertrains - for a small manufacturer like McLaren, this makes no economic sense. However, McLaren is also in talks with other registered manufacturers about supplying powertrains for the period from 2026 onwards, although it is most likely that the contract with Nissan will be extended by a further two years. After that, the way would be clear to become a works team for Hyundai, should they decide to enter Formula E.