SHERIDAN, WYOMING – December 8, 2025 – Citroën is stepping back onto the global racing stage in style, choosing the bright lights and electric buzz of São Paulo for its first factory World Championship program since 2019. With the Citroën Racing Formula E Team set to debut at the 2025 Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix, fans can expect a blend of cutting-edge electric racing, bold French personality and a paddock atmosphere that feels more like a city festival than a traditional race weekend.
Electric street racing in the heart of São Paulo
The season opener will be held on the 2.933 km São Paulo Street Circuit, carved through the iconic Sambadrome. With 11 turns, long straights and heavy braking zones, the layout rewards precision, energy management and brave overtakes – ideal conditions for Formula E’s wheel-to-wheel style. The track remains unchanged from last year, which means returning teams have plenty of data, but Citroën arrives with fresh energy and a point to prove.
Pre-season testing in Valencia at the end of October gave the team more than 2,000 km of running to fine-tune its package. Engineers and drivers used that mileage to dial in the car and build a strong baseline for Round 1. Now, the preparation phase is over – and the focus shifts from simulations and data sheets to the reality of concrete walls and racing under pressure.
“We like to be where nobody expects us”
For Citroën, this isn’t just another program; it’s a statement of intent. Citroën CEO Xavier Chardon sums up the moment with a mix of pride and mischief:
“This is Citroën’s first participation in a World Championship with a factory program since 2019, and I am very proud of this return. We like to be where nobody expects us, and as we saw from the feedback of our announcement, nobody expected this move to Formula E for Citroën. The whole brand around the world is behind this project.
Citroën Brazil invites many clients to the track, and we are excited to present to the public our most playful car, the Citroën Ami during a demonstration lap before the race. This is the last step before the competition starts: We have a great team and certainly two of the most exciting drivers on the grid. The intense phase of preparation is over, and the first race is finally here. I have full confidence in the team and I am delighted that we are finally at the 2025 Sao Paulo E-Prix”.
Fans in Brazil will not only see the new Formula E machines – they’ll also get a taste of Citroën’s urban side, with the cheeky little Ami taking a demo lap that underlines how closely the race team and road-car brand are aligned.
Team, track and a very bumpy challenge
Citroën Racing Formula E Team Principal Cyril Blais knows São Paulo won’t be an easy first test:
“Although the track layout remains unchanged since our last visit, our team certainly hasn’t, and lining up in São Paulo for Citroën’s first Formula E race will be a very proud moment for all of us. Last year’s race was eventful with a red flag and two safety cars, so we know how quickly things can evolve here. It’s a highly technical circuit where brake management will play a decisive role in both qualifying and the race. The surface is extremely bumpy with a mix of slow corners and long, fast straights, making it a true ‘stop-and-go’ challenge that also puts traction management at a premium. Temperatures can run high too, but that’s the same for everyone, as always, our focus is on being smart and keeping the car in its optimal performance window when it matters most. We feel we’ve taken a clear step forward compared to this time last year, and the team is quietly confident. We’re ready to start this season with a solid, exciting result.”
For viewers at home and fans in the grandstands, that means a race full of late-braking duels, strategy swings and the kind of unpredictability Formula E is famous for.
Star drivers, big memories and podium ambitions
On the driving side, Citroën Racing arrives with serious star power. Nick Cassidy is already dreaming of repeating past success:
“I’m really looking forward to starting the season in São Paulo. It’s a privilege to represent Citroën as they take their first steps into single-seater racing, and I’m proud to be doing that alongside JEV. We’re eager to see where we stand once we hit the track. It’s a long season and this is only the first chapter, but it’s always exciting to get things underway. The atmosphere in Brazil is honestly one of the best on the calendar, and it’s a place that holds great memories for me — including a podium here in Season 9. That’s something I’ll be aiming to repeat this weekend.”
Teammate Jean-Eric Vergne brings experience, flair and a clear target:
“I can’t wait to get the season underway with my new team and my new teammate, Nick. We’ve been preparing for months, but nothing compares to being out on track and experiencing the race itself to see where we truly stand. I think we’ve done everything we could in the lead-up, the break has been good, and now I’m simply ready to get back to racing. São Paulo is a great track with plenty of overtaking opportunities, and the races here are always lively. We want to start the season on a strong note, and our aim is to fight for the podium and for victory. It’s the first race for many of us working together in this new structure, so building that strong team spirit also will be important. I have full trust in the team.”
Mini fan guide: 3 reasons to watch Citroën’s Formula E debut
- City-center drama: Racing in the Sambadrome means high speeds, close walls and a festival atmosphere right in the heart of São Paulo.
- Electric tech you’ll feel on the road: Formula E is a live test lab for future electric road cars, making every lap relevant to everyday drivers.
- Fresh chapter for a classic brand: This is Citroën’s first factory World Championship program in years – and the start of a new era in its racing story.
With one of the most globally diverse calendars in motorsport ahead – from historic European cities to vibrant destinations in Asia, the Middle East and the Americas – Citroën Racing’s rookie Formula E season will play out on a truly international stage. But first, all eyes are on Brazil, where the 2025 São Paulo E-Prix will set the tone for a campaign full of possibility, passion and electric pace.
Discover more about Citroën and its latest projects at https://www.citroen.com.