Dan Ticktum fronts Fortescue Formula E launch amid Taylor Barnard legal battle

Fortescue Zero Racing officially launched on Thursday, revealing its livery at Shoreditch Electric Light Station in London ahead of its maiden Formula E campaign.

The British-based, Australian-licensed outfit was formed through Fortescue's acquisition of Penske Autosport and will compete under Gen4 regulations from the 2026/27 season, running Jaguar customer powertrains out of its Kidlington base.

Dr Andrew Forrest, Fortescue's founder and executive chairman, attended the launch alongside company CEO and former Argentina rugby captain Gus Pichot. 

Also present were Claire Williams, who serves as a global brand ambassador for Fortescue Zero without holding an operational role at the team, and team principal Jim Wright, whose background spans senior roles at Williams, Toro Rosso and Virgin Racing in Formula 1 before a decade embedded in Formula E leadership with Mahindra, Venturi and Andretti.

"We’re not here to blend in. We’re here to build a team that competes, does things differently and
earns its place on the grid," said Wright.

"This is the world’s first look at who we are. But the real work is well underway, to be ready, push
hard and deliver as a team when we begin running on-circuit next week.

"Launching a new racing outfit is a significant challenge, and that’s exactly what makes it exciting.
We have strong foundations, an experienced, talented and highly motivated group and we’re
ready to compete."

Dan Ticktum, confirmed as one half of the team's debut driver line-up, was also in attendance. The Briton joins from Cupra Kiro, where his exit followed internal friction over disciplinary and contractual matters.

RacingNews365 attended Fortescue Zero's first Formula E launch, with it unveiling an exciting black and green livery for the upcoming campaign. The livery contains hidden details of Fortescue's birth, what it believes in and where it is heading, including nods to Dr Forrest and Sir Frank Williams.

Crucially, the team's other driver, Taylor Barnard, was not in attendance.

Taylor Barnard absence a notable launch factor

Taylor Barnard, the other driver signed to partner Ticktum, was notably absent from proceedings.

According to Formula E Notebook, His management company, PHM Racing Academy, has lodged a legal challenge seeking to void his Fortescue Zero contract, aiming to free the driver to explore other options for the Gen4 debut season.

Fortescue Zero maintains that Barnard remains contractually bound to the team, but the dispute meant the driver skipped the launch entirely. 

It remains unclear whether the legal challenge will succeed or whether Barnard will ultimately line up for the team when testing gets underway in just over a week.