Cupra Kiro might be new in terms of name, but it’s a familiar face in Formula E. The team has gone through a number of different identities since it debuted as Team China in the inaugural Formula E season — which it won with Nelson Piquet Jr. — but it entered this season after fresh new investment.
U.S.-based investment firm The Forest Road Company — with financing from Ares Management co-founders David Kaplan and Bennett Rosenthal — took over the team in the off-season with the clear aim of turning the erstwhile back marker outfit into regular contenders.
A strong financial backbone and powertrains from Porsche have given the team cause for optimism going forward, optimism that driver Dan Ticktum wasn’t able to fully enjoy until recently, with his deal to continue with the team for a third season (under a third different guise) coming at the 11th hour.
“It’s been quite stressful for me, because I’ve only really known I was going to be driving for the last month or so,” Ticktum told RACER. “So it’s actually been quite a horrible few months, stress-wise. Now it’s all sorted, we’re in a very positive place. I think we’ve obviously got something a lot better at the start than the package that we have in the last few years. So yeah, I feel quite motivated.”
Late deal or not, the familiarity has been a benefit for Ticktum, who feels the team can unlock its potential now it’s got the German powertrains.
“The structure of the team is all very similar,” Ticktum said. “(There’s similar people in the same places. OK, some have come and gone, but it’s all very familiar to me in terms of how the team operates. Obviously, we’ve got some support from Porsche and that side is obviously a bit different. I’ve learned a lot already, I just need some more experience with it.
“We’ve got to put everything together. We’re still a relatively small team. I think that will change — everything’s going in the right direction with partners and everything. It’s all very exciting. I think the raw materials are going to be very good, but you try to get everything in line and make sure you deliver.”
Porsche’s previous GEN3 successes — drivers’ titles with Jake Dennis and the customer Andretti team in Season 9 and Pascal Wehrlein and the works team last season — means that the bar is high for Kiro. Ticktum insists he “hasn’t set any goals” but there’s no hiding that his own expectations have elevated for this season.
“I think a couple of podiums would be nice, but I honestly just don’t know how the season is going to pan out,” he said. “If everything goes well, I think we can do very well; just need to see, learn as quickly as possible, try and try and get everything working as it did for Porsche last year and see what we can do.”
