The German driver, after leaving Maserati, will join Jean-Eric Vergne, forming a very interesting duo ahead of 2025
Yesterday afternoon, the official announcement arrived: Maximilian Günther will move to DS Penske in 2025, in a real driver swap within the Stellantis family, with Stoffel Vandoorne moving to Maserati. The 27-year-old German will join Jean-Eric Vergne, who finished fifth in the previous Season 10 and is the only driver to have won two championships in the top electric category.
Maximilian Günther joined the Stellantis family in 2023, embracing the project of the newly formed Maserati, which had replaced the Rokit Venturi team. In his first season driving the Tipo Folgore, the German driver outperformed his teammate Edo Mortara, achieving 4 podiums, including 2 during the magical Jakarta weekend, where Günther also secured Maserati’s first-ever victory in Formula E, and finished the season in seventh place in the overall standings.
In contrast, 2024 was a more challenging year: after a great start with a podium in the first race in Misano and, notably, a victory in Tokyo, Günther experienced many unfortunate circumstances, including technical problems and accidents.
The latest example was certainly the London double header: in Race 1, he was forced to retire due to a transmission issue while in second place chasing Wehrlein. In Race 2, he collided with Nick Cassidy, who was moving very slowly on the racing line after contact with Antonio Felix da Costa, which cost him the championship.
Maximilian Günther at DS Penske: here are the statements!
“I am very happy to join the DS PENSKE team,” says Günther. “A powerhouse in the championship and a project with a strong vision.” “We share the same ambitions and are all determined to be at the top of Formula E. Representing DS Performance, a manufacturer that has already won several championships, is a real privilege. The same goes for being teammates with a champion like Jean-Eric Vergne; it’s something I’m really looking forward to. A very special element for me is driving for Jay’s team again, as he brought me into the championship when I was 20 years old.” “I am proud to be part of the team and excited about what we will build together in the future.”
In fact, there had already been a collaboration between Maximilian Günther and Jay Penske: after a fluctuating season in Formula 2 in 2018, the German driver was hired to compete for the then-team of the American businessman, GEOX Dragon. After a poor start, during which he was even replaced by Felipe Nasr for three races, Günther regained his seat and secured two fifth-place finishes, which were crucial for the American team to overtake NIO in the teams’ championship standings.
In his debut season, he earned 20 points from two fifth-place finishes.
Here are Jay Penske’s words: “I am very excited to welcome Max back to DS PENSKE. His undeniable talent makes him perfect for our ambitious goals this season.”
“His racecraft is extraordinary; he combines a cool, strategic mindset with fierce determination on track.”
“Competing alongside Jean-Eric Vergne, the talented driver with the most front-row positions last season, we are more motivated than ever to achieve our championship goals.
PENSKE AUTOSPORT concluded Season 10 of Formula E with a solid third place in the teams’ championship. The team is eager to build on past successes and continue its pursuit of excellence in the series.”
Jean-Eric Vergne driving for DS Penske in the final round in London.
For 2025, the goal is definitely to improve on the third place in the Teams’ Championship standings.
Formula E driver market: here’s the current situation ahead of Season 11!
Jaguar TCS Racing: Mitch Evans-Nick Cassidy
TAG Heuer Porsche: Pascal Wehrlein(?)-Antonio Felix Da Costa(?)
DS Penske: Jean-Eric Vergne-Maximilian Gunther
Nissan: Oliver Rowland(?)-?
Andretti Global: Jake Dennis-Nico Muller
Envision: ?-?
NEOM Mclaren: Taylor Barnard-Sam Bird
Maserati: Stoffel Vandoorne-Jake Hughes
ABT Cupra: Lucas Di Grassi-?
Mahindra: Edoardo Mortara-Nyck De Vries
ERT: ?-?
PHOTO: ABB FIA Formula E, Maximilian Gunther, DS Penske
