Maserati sign world champion in shock all-new Formula E line-up

Maserati has announced the signing of Season 8 world champion Stoffel Vandoorne and Jake Hughes, with the pair replacing Maximilian Günther and Jehan Daruvala. 

It is an entirely new driver pairing for the Monaco-based team next season, with Vandoorne joining from fellow Stellantis-owned outfit DS Penske and Hughes making a surprise switch from McLaren.

According to reports, Günther is expected to be replacing Vandoorne at DS Penske, effectively making it a straight switch between the pair within the Stellantis family. 

The Belgian driver endured a challenging two seasons with his highlights for DS Penske being a pole position in São Paulo last year, and a podium in Monaco last season. 

He is, of course, an FE world champion with bags of experience and raw speed, which can hopefully be unlocked with Maserati.

“I’m very happy to be joining Maserati MSG Racing next season and I’m proud to be associated with
such an iconic name within motorsport as Maserati," said Vandoorne. 

"I’m excited to start working with the team - although I haven’t worked directly with them before, I know the team well, both from my time at DS Penske but also from my time with Mercedes when we shared a powertrain with Venturi. 

"They are a great bunch of people, very skilled, very determined and I’m really looking forward to working with together moving forwards. Hopefully we’ll have a lot of success and fight for victories and championships together.”

As for Hughes, he makes the move to Maserati after two successful seasons with McLaren, where genuine progress was visible. Hughes shot onto the scene last year and enjoyed an emphatic debut campaign, which saw the Briton claim two pole positions.

He built on that this year in his second FE campaign, and collected another two poles and a maiden podium in Shanghai.

Leaving McLaren for Maserati is an interesting switch by Hughes, who will be looking to make another step towards the front in his third FE season.

“I’m over the moon to be joining Maserati MSG Racing," said Hughes. "The success that the team has had, as one of the founding teams in Formula E, speaks for itself. 

"On a personal level, I have worked with the team previously so I know them well and I’m genuinely looking forward to going back. 

"I know that the season has only just finished but I honestly can’t wait to get over to the HQ in Monaco and start working with the engineers, get on the simulator and really get cracking with our prep for Season 11. 

"This marks the start of an exciting new chapter in my career, and I know that the best is yet to come.”