F1 veteran confirmed as Lola Formula E deputy team principal

Lola has appointed Gerry Hughes as deputy team principal, bringing the Formula E and Formula 1 veteran back into the fold as the team prepares to enter the Gen4 era from its new Silverstone headquarters.

Hughes will take charge of all operations and sporting matters for the team, overseeing its day-to-day running as it builds on the progress made across its first two seasons.

The appointment represents something of a homecoming. Hughes previously served as Lola's Head of F1 Engineering back in 2009, and his connection to the marque stretches back even further, having carried out his MSc research thesis on suspension design with the company while studying automotive engineering at Cranfield University.

His career since has taken in touring cars and F1 as a race engineer, before a move into Formula E that eventually saw him rise to team principal at NIO.

Lola and Hughes reunited again

Team principal Mark Preston said the experience Hughes brings will be central to Lola's plans heading into the new Gen4 regulations.

"We are very pleased to announce that Gerry is joining the team," Preston said.

"His vast experience across a variety of motorsport series will be integral to the team's continued development as we enter GEN4. 

"On a personal note, it's great to be working with Gerry again having been teammates at Super Aguri as well as competitors in the earlier seasons of Formula E. This appointment continues our commitment to building a competitive in-house team with wide-ranging expertise and capabilities."

Hughes, for his part, described the move as a proud moment, and one that reunites him with familiar faces.

"Having worked for Lola on two previous occasions, the opportunity to re-join the prestigious British marque is something of a homecoming for me and one that I take great pride in," Hughes said.

"Joining Lola also marks the third time I have worked alongside Mark Preston and Peter McCool, so there are a number of familiarities which will help me hit the ground running. 

"Formula E has certainly come a long way technologically since I bowed out at the end of Season 5 and I am excited to be returning to the championship as it enters this new era."

The news comes alongside confirmation that the squad will race simply as the Lola Formula E Team next season, with Yamaha continuing as technical partner.