Fortescue Zero Approaches Ricciardo for Formula E

The incoming Australian Formula E team made an informal approach to the former Formula 1 race winner about a possible seat.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Motorsports

Expressive sports illustration of a single racer in a white suit beside a sleek electric race car on a sunlit Australian paddock with dry hills beyond. — Australian Formula E newcomer Fortescue Zero informally approached former Formula 1 race winner Daniel Ricciardo about a possible driver seat for its debut campaign. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Fortescue Zero, an incoming Australian Formula E team, made an informal approach to Daniel Ricciardo, an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner. The discussions did not progress into formal contract negotiations or driver offers.

Why it matters

The team sought immediate international credibility, elite technical feedback and commercial appeal for its debut campaign. The team has since locked in Taylor Barnard and Dan Ticktum as its inaugural driver lineup.

Ricciardo has eight Formula 1 Grand Prix wins to his name and left Formula 1 after his final stint with VCARB in the 2024 season. The GEN4 championship introduces upgraded power outputs, all-wheel drive and new battery technology from the 2027 season.

The players

Fortescue Zero

Fortescue Zero is an incoming Australian Formula E team backed by the Fortescue mining group's zero-emissions technology business.

Daniel Ricciardo

Daniel Ricciardo is an Australian former Formula 1 driver with eight Grand Prix wins and a Global Ambassador role with Ford Racing.

The details

Fortescue Zero reached out to Ricciardo during the preliminary planning stages of its program as it explored marquee options to anchor its debut campaign. The team had initially wanted an Australian driver to spearhead its debut, and it also considered approaching Formula 1 reserve driver Jack Doohan, though no formal talks took place with him.

Ricciardo's final stint with VCARB in Formula 1 came during the 2024 season.
Fortescue Zero's informal approach to Ricciardo took place during its preliminary planning stages.
The GEN4 championship debuts with upgraded technology in the 2027 season.

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Season Trajectory

Fortescue Zero's driver search is set against the GEN4 championship, which introduces upgraded power outputs, all-wheel drive and new battery technology for the 2027 season. The team's approach to a former Formula 1 winner reflects how new Formula E entrants seek established names to build early credibility.

Fans following Ricciardo's career will want to track whether he commits to a Formula E team or a different path. The inaugural lineup of Barnard and Ticktum sets the team's competitive baseline for its debut.

The takeaway

Teams entering a new series often pursue established drivers early, but a stated interest does not always become a contract. Readers should watch for formal announcements before treating driver moves as confirmed.