Supercar maker Maserati will return to single-seater racing after a 65 year absence in 2023 when the Italian brand joins the Formula E grid. The ninth series of the all-electric championship is set to see the introduction of a new third-generation car that promises to deliver even closer racing.  

Although Maserati has been involved in GT racing and won FIA GT1 Championship title in 2010, the brand left the world of single-seater racing at the end of 1958 after Maria Teresa de Filippis became the first woman to qualify for an F1 Grand Prix. The previous year, Juan Manuel Fangio secured his fifth and final Formula 1 title at the wheel of a 250F.

Maserati has been owned by the Stellantis automotive group (alongside, Vauxhall, Citroen, DS, Peugeot and Fiat) since the start of last year and is embarking on a complete overhaul of its range. An electric version of its acclaimed MC20 supercar is set to launch in 2023 and bosses have outlined plans to be fully electric by 2025. Stellantis has pledged to invest €30bn in the brand in the next four years. 

As part of the Formula E announcement, Maserati bosses said that the brand would partner with either an existing or new team to develop and run the car. This approach is common in Formula E with DS (also a Stellantis brand) already established with Chinese racing team Techeetah.

Under Gen3 Formula E regulations, teams are allowed to develop their own powertrain. Maserati is hoping to emulate the likes of Porsche and Audi by transferring some of the knowledge and techniques developed in Formula E to its road car range. 

Speaking at the press announcement on Monday, Maserati CEO Davide Grasso said: “The Maserati brand today is going back to the future, going back to its roots of racing. I'm extremely happy and excited to announce that Maserati is the first Italian brand to join the Formula E Championship from 2023, season nine. It couldn't be a better way to start the new year.”

Equally excited by the news was Formula E commentator and Electrifying.com’s very own Nicki Shields who welcomed the return of one of the motoring industry’s most iconic brands. “I’ve been part of the Formula E family since the beginning in 2014 and I’m thrilled to finally see a leading Italian car brand take its rightful place on the grid.” 

The championship is going from strength to strength and I’m particularly excited to see the Italian race fans show their support at the 2023 Rome e-Prix.”

More details on the team’s driver line-up are expected later this year. Meanwhile, the first round of the 2021-2022 season kicks off in Saudi Arabia with the Diriyah E-Prix on 28 January. 

Nicki will welcome Maserati back to the grid in her role as Formula E commentator. She's also looking forward to some pasta in the team hospitality truck