Announced today, Jake Hughes will make his comeback to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for Season 13. He will join Pepe Martí at CUPRA KIRO with the arrival of the new GEN4 electric race car.
A Full Time Seat for the Brit
Spending Season 12 as a reserve driver for Mahindra Racing, Hughes returns to electric racing full time.
He comes in with an impressive resume in Formula E where he has been able to distinguish himself as a top qualifying driver after competing for three full seasons in the championship. After earning four pole positions and two podiums, the 31-year-old will add much-needed experience to the CUPRA KIRO lineup as the championship moves into a new era.
Hughes comments on his excitement about joining the American team, noting that the chance has been a ”long time coming.”
“I am thrilled to join the CUPRA KIRO team,” said Hughes. “The team has built the foundations of something very special and hopefully, we can kick on and bring even more success.”
No Stranger to Success in Formula E
Hughes entered his Formula E debut with McLaren during season nine and showed his one lap speed from the very beginning by taking his first pole position during his third race. He then went on to take another pole in Monaco later in the same season.
The Briton kept up his reputation by winning two additional pole positions during his second season, but this time he achieved his first Formula E podium finish in the 2024 Shanghai E-Prix.
In the 2024/25 season, Hughes switched teams to join Maserati MSG Racing. There, he achieved another podium finish at the circuit of Jeddah.
Alongside his Formula E commitments, Hughes has competed in other series, from development duties in Formula 1 to European Le Mans. This developed experience is what the CUPRA KIRO team want – the adaptation needed for the significant shift in the technicality of the sport.
A Change in the Line Up
Hughes will be paired up with Pepe Martí for Season 13, forming a fresh driver pairing as the CUPRA KIRO attempts to find its footing in the coming generation of Formula E. Team Principal of CUPRA KIRO, Russell O’Hagan praises the new line-up.
“Having Jake alongside Pepe also gives us a different dynamic to previous seasons, marking our first season as Kiro Race Co without a rookie driver,” he said.
A rookie-free lineup means the team have a better insight into the demands of the championship. Their efforts will fall into maximising performance which is what CUPRA KIRO need to remain competitive.
The continued development from Martí coupled with the racing experience Hughes has in the championship makes the duo an ideal team.
Development vs Performance
O’Hagan considers that Hughes’ addition to the grid can bring much more to the team than just the qualifying pace, since he is a person who possesses knowledge in technical aspects and works with the best teams in Formula E and Formula 1.
“We’re very excited to welcome Jake to CUPRA KIRO for the coming season,” O’Hagan said.
”Jake’s one-lap pace has always been a real strength of his, and he has an instinctive feel for extracting performance from a car.”
”With the arrival of GEN4, having a driver who can contribute both on track and through the development process will be invaluable, and from what we’ve seen so far, the characteristics of the GEN4 should suit Jake’s intuitive driving style very well.”
A Look Into Preseason Testing
Hughes previously participated in testing for the CUPRA KIRO team last season, already establishing an existing working relationship. This can help him adapt to his new position.
In November, Formula E will hold pre-season testing in Madrid where Hughes will use this opportunity to familiarise himself further with the new car.