Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann will race for the Kiro Formula E team in the all-electric championship this season, having officially been announced just days before the campaign begins.
Both drivers were finally confirmed on Monday, although their names already featured on the official entry list for the 2024-25 Formula E World Championship which was released last week.
The lateness in the decision, with the opening round in Sao Paulo taking place this weekend, stems from the team undergoing a rebrand in the off-season as well as new ownership.
The team, which entered last season under the ERT guise and was previously known as NIO 333, was bought by American investment firm The Forest Road Company to secure its future in the championship.
Ticktum remains with the team for a fourth Formula E campaign, which will be the first as a customer outfit with Kiro running Porsche powertrains that have claimed the last two drivers’ titles.
The 25-year-old Briton claimed “this is the most motivated I’ve felt at a pre-season test” after he finished the four-day event in Spain last month with the second fastest time.
“It’s clear to me that Kiro is hungry, ambitious, and ready to make a statement in Formula E, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I thrive in as a racing driver,” said Ticktum.
“Over the past few years, I’ve learned first-hand that Formula E is unlike any other form of motorsport – the racing is relentless, the on-track battles are fierce, and it pushes you to your limits, demanding absolutely everything from both the driver, and the team.
“Ahead of a new season, it’s important to have modest expectations, but in a category as wild as this, there are open opportunities every single lap.
“After a promising pre-season test, I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to convert this attitude into regular top 10 performances. The atmosphere and energy within the team is very positive, and I can’t wait to get the season started.”
This year will mark Beckmann’s first full-time campaign in Formula E, having made a one-off appearance for Porsche customer team Andretti in Jakarta in 2023.
The 24-year-old German has served as Porsche’s reserve driver for the last two seasons, but Kiro team principal Alex Hui has insisted that “there's zero pressure from Porsche” to run Beckmann this season, which will feature the new Gen3 Evo car.
“Joining Kiro’s ranks for my first full season in Formula E is a dream come true, and I’m excited to rise to the challenge,” said Beckmann, who topped one of the six sessions in pre-season testing last month.
“Although I’ll be a rookie this year, I think I’m coming into the season with a unique experience having seen the evolution from Gen2 to Gen3, and again with the Gen3 Evo, first-hand in my past roles with Andretti and Porsche.
“At testing, my main goal was to get comfortable in the car and integrate myself well in the team, and overall, the week was very encouraging.
“The whole atmosphere right now is very inspiring, and it feels like we’re all working in the same direction, with one shared goal.”
Beckmann replaces Sergio Sette Camara, who has joined Nissan as its reserve and simulator driver.
The Brazilian spent two seasons with the team in its guises as ERT and NIO 333, having previously raced for Dragon Penske and achieved a best result of fourth in 2021 at Diriyah.
Kiro has also joined forces with automotive brand Cupra on a multi-year partnership, the car manufacturer which sits within the Volkswagen Group having previously partnered with Abt in 2023.
