Electric Cars

Sebastien Buemi, a prominent figure in Formula E, is concluding his journey in the electric racing series after twelve seasons. His final appearance will be at the London E-Prix. Moving forward, Buemi will assume an advisory and development role with Envision Racing, aligning his career with his commitments to Toyota's Hypercar program. This strategic shift for Buemi coincides with the departure of his teammate, Joel Eriksson, leading to a completely new driver lineup for Envision Racing in the upcoming Gen4 era.

Buemi's Formula E Journey Concludes, Advisory Role Awaits at Envision Racing

In a significant announcement made on Thursday, August 13, 2026, a pivotal shift was revealed in the world of Formula E. Swiss racing star Sebastien Buemi confirmed his departure from the all-electric championship following the culminating London E-Prix weekend. His distinguished twelve-season tenure saw him achieve remarkable success, including fourteen victories, thirty-six podium finishes, seventeen pole positions, and the coveted 2015-16 drivers’ title. This decision comes amidst growing speculation regarding Buemi’s future, particularly due to scheduling conflicts between the Formula E calendar and the World Endurance Championship. While Formula E made adjustments, rescheduling the 2027 Monaco round to mitigate clashes, Buemi ultimately chose to prioritize his Hypercar obligations with Toyota.

However, Buemi will not entirely sever ties with his long-standing team, Envision Racing. He is set to transition into an advisory and development capacity, contributing his vast experience to the team as they prepare for Formula E’s Gen4 era. This move was disclosed just hours after Envision Racing announced that Joel Eriksson, Buemi’s teammate, would also be stepping down at the close of the current season. As a result, the team is poised to introduce an entirely new driver roster for the forthcoming season. Sylvain Filippi, the team principal, acknowledged the difficulty of this decision, emphasizing the significant contributions of both Buemi and Eriksson. Filippi expressed the team's gratitude and looked forward to leveraging Buemi's expertise in his new advisory role, aiming to conclude the Gen3 era with a strong performance in London.

Buemi’s early years in Formula E were particularly impactful, where he became synonymous with the Renault e.dams operation, which later evolved into Nissan’s factory team. After securing the championship in only the second season, he remained a strong contender. Nevertheless, a conflict with his WEC schedule forced him to miss the New York double-header, a factor that ultimately influenced his second-place finish in the championship race. Despite this, he consistently performed as a frontrunner with Renault/Nissan. In 2023, Buemi made a bold move to join Envision, a Jaguar customer team. Although he did not replicate his earlier career highs, he continued to achieve occasional podium finishes, including a victory at the Monaco E-Prix last year. The 2025/26 season marks Buemi's fourth and final season with Envision Racing. His departure follows a trend, as 2016-17 champion Lucas di Grassi, another long-standing figure in the series, also announced his impending exit in April, signaling a generational shift within Formula E.

Cadillac Racing's CEO, Dan Towriss, has publicly refuted recent speculations suggesting that Formula 2 rising star Rafael Camara is being considered for a 2027 Formula 1 seat with the team. While acknowledging the ongoing rumors as baseless, Towriss maintained an open stance on future driver changes, underscoring the unpredictable environment of F1. This comes amidst Camara's impressive rookie season in F2, where he has secured multiple pole positions and race victories, positioning himself as a strong contender for higher honors.

Despite the current contentment with their established drivers, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, the team hinted at potential shifts in their lineup for the 2027 season. The discussions around Camara joining Cadillac have sparked considerable interest, especially given his strong performance and the team's ongoing assessment of their long-term strategy in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.

Cadillac Dismisses Current Camara F1 Rumors

Cadillac Formula 1 team CEO Dan Towriss has recently addressed and largely dismissed the circulating rumors that Ferrari junior driver Rafael Camara, an impressive frontrunner in Formula 2, is being eyed for a potential 2027 race seat. Towriss categorized these reports as "unsubstantiated," suggesting that while the idea of a young, talented driver joining the team is conceptually appealing, it is not an active focus for Cadillac at this moment. The CEO's statements provide clarity amidst growing speculation, affirming the team's satisfaction with its current driver lineup, which includes experienced campaigners Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both of whom are seen as integral to pushing the team's performance boundaries.

The rumors gained traction following an earlier report that Cadillac had been monitoring Camara's progress. As the reigning Formula 3 champion, Camara's rookie season in F2 has been nothing short of spectacular, marked by four pole positions in the last six races and two significant victories, placing him third in the drivers' standings, just 22 points behind the leader. This exceptional performance naturally makes him a subject of intense speculation for top-tier racing opportunities, including Formula 1. However, Towriss emphasized that while the concept of integrating a promising young talent is always on the team's radar, there are no concrete plans to alter their driver roster for the upcoming 2027 season, thus tempering the excitement around Camara's immediate F1 prospects with Cadillac.

Future Driver Changes Remain a Possibility

Despite the current dismissal of Rafael Camara's immediate prospects, Cadillac CEO Dan Towriss explicitly stated that no definitive decisions have been made regarding the team's driver lineup for 2027, leaving the door open for potential changes. He acknowledged the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of Formula 1, underscoring that while there are no changes currently scheduled, circumstances in the sport can shift rapidly. This nuanced stance suggests that while the team is presently content with its seasoned drivers, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, they are also realistic about the long-term outlook and the potential need for strategic adjustments to maintain or enhance competitiveness in the future. Such a perspective is critical in F1, where driver markets are fluid and team compositions can change based on performance, contractual obligations, and emerging talent.

The conversation also touched upon the broader implications of driver selection, particularly in relation to team synergies and power unit suppliers. When questioned about the potential for hiring Camara to strengthen ties with Ferrari, their power unit provider, newly appointed team principal Marcin Budkowski chose to focus on technical optimization rather than driver-specific political considerations. This indicates a strategic emphasis on maximizing the existing powertrain's potential and team performance, rather than using driver recruitment as a means to foster external relationships. While Camara's impressive F2 run continues to turn heads, Cadillac's leadership appears to be balancing immediate team stability with an awareness of future opportunities, maintaining flexibility in their long-term planning without committing to unsubstantiated rumors.