Envision confirm surprise Formula E driver signing on multi-year deal

Envision has confirmed the signing of Joel Eriksson on a multi-year deal, covering at least the next two Formula E seasons.

The length of Eriksson's contract means Envision has become the first team in Formula E to have its driver pairing locked in for Gen4, which will be introduced after the upcoming 2025/26 season—the final one of the current Gen3 regulatory cycle.

While Envision was initially linked to the likes of Stoffel Vandoorne, Jake Hughes, and Theo Pourchaire, Eriksson quickly emerged as a leading option for the Silverstone-based team.

Eriksson already shares a strong relationship with the outfit, which gave the 27-year-old his debut in the all-electric series back in 2018 at the Marrakesh rookie test.

Importance of Berlin 2024

More recently, the Swedish driver stepped in for WEC-tied Robin Frijns at the Season 10 Berlin E-Prix last year, where his points finish and immediate pace impressed team boss Sylvain Filippi.

Finishing ninth in the second race of that weekend's Berlin double-header was particularly impressive, especially given he hadn’t appeared on the Formula E grid since the 2021 season finale in Berlin, driving for Dragon/Penske Autosport.

Despite contesting the final eight races of the 2020/21 season for Dragon, Eriksson’s last full-time single-seater campaign was in the 2017 European F3 championship with Motopark, which was followed by two difficult years in DTM.

Since 2023, he has served as reserve and test driver for Jaguar in Formula E, while most of his recent racing has been in GT cars. While that has brought him some satisfaction, Eriksson has waited patiently for a full-time return to single-seater racing.

"I can tell you it feels surreal to be honest, because it's just such a relief on the personal side to be honest, because it was quite a few tough years for me," Eriksson told select media including RacingNews365.

"Especially after F3, with my DTM years, which didn't work out the way I wanted. And then, obviously, after that I had my short time with Dragon, struggling there as well. And, obviously, getting very frustrated with how everything was going, because I knew that the potential was there. 

"I knew that I can drive a race car fast, I've always known that. So yeah, I don't really know what else to say that it's just a massive, massive relief, personally. Obviously, the Berlin [race] week last year was really a deciding thing for me, which really decided the future for me and then yeah, luckily it worked out. 

"Obviously, I got this opportunity because the weekend worked out so well [last year]. So yeah, it hasn't been [some] easy years. At the moment I'm just, as I said, it's just such a relief. But don't get me wrong, the hard work really starts now, so it's not going to be easy. 

"It's just going to be easier for myself mentally, knowing I secured a really good, really good deal in a super strong team which has a long history in Formula E with such a strong CV, you know and so. Yeah, very happy and relieved."

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The multi-year plan

Crucially, Envision has both Eriksson and team-mate Sebastien Buemi on multi-year deals, ensuring the duo will remain with the team at the start of Gen4.

Eriksson, in particular, brings valuable insight into Formula E’s next era, having contributed to Jaguar’s development work on the new car.

That experience will be vital for Envision as the championship enters a new phase, with both parties having agreed on the importance of a multi-year commitment.

"I think it was both ways to be honest, because we've known each other for quite a few years now," said Eriksson, discussing who pushed for a multi-year deal. "So, we're all familiar faces. We really know what we're dealing with in both ways.

"And I think we trust each other, first of all. And then it was really both ways that we wanted to enter a long-term relationship and not into a one-year deal to see how everything works out and and so on.

"Because it's easy, we trust each other and we believe in each other. So, it was pretty obvious that we wanted to go on a multi-year deal, because that's actually what makes sense too.

"To enter on a one-year deal in the last year of Gen3 Evo, I think doesn't really make sense from a team perspective because, obviously, next season it's also going to be a lot about Gen4 development.

"So, it's probably going to be as much work in the end for us as on the Gen3 Evo during the season. So yeah, I think it was very common that it had to be this way and we both wanted it."