Paddock Whispers: News ticker on all the important Formula E paddock topics in Jeddah
Jasmin Fromm
Andreas Beil
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit will host the first double-header of the 12th Formula E season this weekend. Find out what else is keeping the paddock busy at the track in Saudi Arabia in the latest edition of our "Paddock Whispers" series. We will update this ticker regularly throughout the weekend.
>>> Valentine's Day gifts between teams
[[02/14 | 1:05 pm] The Envision Racing Team handed out thoughtful gifts for Valentine's Day:
For example, the Nissan team received a light bulb with a note that read, "You light up my world. Love, Envision Racing x" Lola received chocolate-covered waffles from the brand Tola and a note that read: "Tola for Lola." Cupra Kiro got a hand fan with a note saying "Please tell Dan, we are big fans" and the Citroen Racing Team received pretzels and a sticky note saying "You got me in knots thinking about you ;)".
A nice gesture from the British team.
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>>> Arvid Lindblad at the Jeddah circuit
[02/14 | 12:25 pm] During the 3. free practice session, Racing Bulls F1 driver Arvid Lindblad was shown in the Nissan garage. The 18-year-old British racing driver was part of Oliver Rowland Motorsport, just like DS Penske driver Taylor Barnard. During the Jeddah race weekend, Lindblad seems to be keeping his mentor company at the track.
>>> Jeff Dodds invites Max Verstappen to test Formula E car
[02/14 | 10:25 am] Multiple Formula 1 world champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen recently criticised the new Formula 1 car, describing them as "Formula E cars on steroids" because they require more energy management. Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds explains that Verstappen's statement does not really surprise him: "I wasn’t surprised by it I think Max effectively saying that he loves to go kind of full speed full send full throttle, and the new F1 car obviously has a 50 percent electric powertrain 50 percent combustion engine and its not delivering a style of driving that he loves at the moment." Dodds also reveals that he has contacted Verstappen: "I sent him a slightly tongue in cheek message last night, I haven’t seen it but I don’t think hes replied, look if Max wants to test out the Gen4 Car i think he’d be really impressed by whats coming, open invitation, no cameras no media, any racetrack he wants in the world, we’ll put a car on show for him."
>>> DS Penske Garage Tour
[02/13 | 4:15 pm] DS Penske driver Taylor Barnard gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at his team in a new video. Among other things, he shows the team's snack station, his driver's room and the engineers' area in the garage.
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>>> The lucky penguin is back in the Jaguar garage!
[02/12 | 10:52 pm] During the Miami E-Prix, there was a special new addition to kiwi driver Mitch Evans' garage. The plush kiwi, which has become an staple in the number 9 car's garage, welcomed special company: A penguin enjoyed sitting on the car in the garage. Kimberleigh Hillsdon, a member of the Jaguar TCS Racing team, revealed to e-Formula.news that the reason for the new addition was a lost bet: "The number one mechanic lost a bet against me and the deal was if I win, I could put a penguin on the car for the weekend!"
After Evans won the race in Miami, the penguin has made a return for the race in Jeddah.
Your favourite garage duo have made a return for Jeddah 😉 pic.twitter.com/9mA6gYD2i2
— Jaguar TCS Racing (@JaguarRacing) February 12, 2026
>>> Minor track changes this season
[02/12 | 5:32 pm] According to information from FE Notebook, a few minor changes have been made to the Formula E track in Jeddah for the current season. Those include the recently completed resurfacing of the track surface at turn 18 and the newly installed kerbs at turns 8, 14 and 17.
>>> New look for Cupra Kiro in Jeddah
[02/12 | 4:45 pm] The two Cupra Kiro cars will be sporting a new look during the Jeddah weekend: the US team is collaborating with Disney and Pixar to present a livery featuring the main characters from the new animated film "Hoppers". The collaboration underscores Formula E's long-standing commitment to sustainability. With the film focusing on wildlife, biodiversity and adventure, the collaboration provides a natural platform to demonstrate the importance of habitat protection and clean mobility. The adventure comedy premieres on 6 March 2026.
Jon Wilde, Commercial Director shares: "'Hoppers' delivers a powerful message about the critical importance of biodiversity and teamwork in today's world – values that sit at the core of Formula E, and our own vision for the future as a team. Working with a storytelling brand as iconic as Pixar allows us to connect with new audiences in a bold and meaningful way, and we're incredibly excited to bring this collaboration to life in Jeddah."
A new look inspired by a new movie. Introducing our Disney and Pixar’s #Hoppers livery celebrating the films release in theatres March 6, rated PG! pic.twitter.com/s8aQMziKGY
— CUPRA KIRO (@KiroRaceCo) February 12, 2026
>>> Stellantis says goodbye to Jean-Marc Finot
[02/12 | 4:32 pm] At the last race weekend in Miami, Stellantis bid farewell to its Head of Motorsport Jean-Marc Finot. The Citroen Racing Team announced this with a photo of Finot together with several drivers in an Instagram story. Finot has retired and thus also ended his active role in the Formula E paddock. Between 1986 and 2025, Finot held several positions at Peugeot, PSA, PSA Motorsport and Stellantis Motorsport.
At Stellantis Motorsport, he won two teams' and two drivers' titles in Formula E for DS, launched the Endurance and Le Mans programme for Peugeot, resumed motorsport activities for Citroen, Lancia, Opel and Maserati, developed the customer motorsport business while supporting the development of high-performance vehicle platforms for Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Opel, Peugeot, DS Automobiles and Maserati. On 31 January 2026, Olivier Jansonnie was appointed as his successor as Head of Stellantis Motorsport.
>>> Fortescue Zero remains official Pit Boost partner for Season 12
[02/12 | 4:20 pm] The first "double-header" of the Formula E season in Jeddah marks the first time that Pit Boost will be used during a race. Formula E has now announced the continuation of its collaboration with Fortescue Zero, which was responsible for the technology last season. During the mandatory fast-charging pit stops, the batteries of the electric racing cars are charged with 10 per cent energy within 30 seconds.</p
Alberto Longo, co-founder and Chief Championship Officer of Formula E, commented on the continuation of the collaboration: "The return of Pit Boost this season reaffirms Formula E's role as the ultimate real-world laboratory for high-speed innovation. By pushing this technology to its limits on the race track, we are not only enhancing the racing spectacle, but also proving that we have the mission-critical solutions needed to decarbonise heavy industry and accelerate the global shift towards electric mobility.
>>> Cupra is official title partner of the Madrid E-Prix
[02/12 | 4:12 pm] Cupra and Formula E have announced their collaboration for the Madrid E-Prix: Cupra will be title partner of the Spanish newcomer to the Formula E racing calendar, which will take place on 21 March 2026 at the Circuito de Madrid Jarama-RACE.
Markus Haupt, CEO of Cupra, comments on the partnership: "This is another step in our mission to drive electrification at all levels, from the road to the track. It is also an important moment for our brand and for the Cupra Kiro racing team. We are ambitious: we want to keep winning and we want Spain to embrace electric mobility, and we are convinced that the inclusion of Madrid on the Formula E calendar will help us achieve both.
Madrid, get ready ⚡️
- Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) February 6, 2026
CUPRA is officially the Title and Founding Partner of the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix! 🏎️💨 pic.twitter.com/DCHAzrXRXK
>>> Dan Cherowbrier is the new CTO of Formula E
[02/12 | 4:01 pm] Formula E has a new Chief Technology Officer: The choice has fallen on Dan Cherowbrier, who has already helped shape the racing series since 2019. During his previous role as a consultant, Cherowbrier was involved in the development of the series' technical infrastructure. In his new role, Cherowbrier will oversee Formula E's technology strategy and innovation culture, including supporting the delivery of the Gen4 race car for Season 13.
Dan Cherowbrier, CTO of Formula E, says: "Formula E is unlike any other championship in global sport. It combines innovation, determination and performance at the highest level and sets the standard for how modern sport should work. I have been working closely with the series since 2019 and have witnessed first-hand the ambition and potential of the series, the race teams and our partners, and I am proud to join the Formula E team at this pivotal moment for us as we enter the Gen4 era. I look forward to leading the next phase of technological development and continuing to redefine what is possible, not just in electric racing, but across motorsport and beyond.
>>> Formula E card game with Top Trumps
[02/12 | 3:46 pm] Top Trumps is a card game that has its roots in the UK, but has since gained favour all over the world. During the last race weekend in Mexico City, Formula E teamed up with Top Trumps to present the newly developed card game to celebrate the 150th Formula E race. The 30-card deck features the championship's most memorable moments, such as winning the very first Formula E race in Beijing in 2014, Daniel Abt's Grand Slam in Berlin in 2018, where he secured pole position, fastest lap and lead every single lap, or Taylor Barnard's impressive rookie season in 2024/25, where he became the youngest ever podium finisher at just 20 years old. The limited edition special card pack is now available in the official Formula E shop.</p
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