Vandoorne hopes DS title-winning know-how can create "stronger combination" in FE
Formula E champion Stoffel Vandoorne hopes to combine his title-winning knowledge with that of the DS engineers into a "stronger combination" to kick off the Gen3 era in good form.
DS Automobiles announced its tie-up with the Dragon Penske squad after the end of the Gen2 era, ending its partnership with the Techeetah team which has since dropped off the grid.
The French manufacturer unveiled its E-TENSE FE23 livery, bringing over the black and gold colours while using the diamond design employed by Dragon Penske over the previous two seasons.
PLUS: How Jaguar got its teeth into Formula E's Gen3 development race
Vandoorne moves over from the departing Mercedes team to join DS Penske, partnering two-time Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne at the squad.
Speaking at the launch, Vandoorne said that he could learn a lot from the pedigree in the DS camp, and that he could also relay his own experiences from winning the title with Mercedes.
"I have the experience from the last couple of years with Mercedes, and we were obviously very successful as well," Vandoorne said.
"And DS was actually one of our big competitors. For me, personally, it's quite nice to arrive in a fresh environment to see what they were doing, to take the positives from from that.
"And then from my side, to bring to them the experience that I had from the past. So I think this combination is only making us stronger.
"When you start talking with the engineers, you put all the points on the table and you try to learn from each other. There's plenty of things that this team was doing well, there was a lot of things that obviously we were doing well over the last couple of seasons.
Penske DS09
Photo by: DS Automobiles
"And I think if we're able to put all these points together, then it will only make us make us a stronger package."
Vandoorne also explained that having a common language with the engineers, in being able to speak French, meant that he was able to communicate with his new team effectively.
In response to a question from Autosport asking how he was settling in, Vandoorne explained that the process was made easier with familiar engineers at DS Penske whom he had worked with in his junior career.
"When you're used to working with a team for quite a while, you get to know everyone and you get used to the ways of how things work within the team.
"I'm in for a big change, but I've been settling in very well. Some of the guys I already knew from the past in junior series, so that definitely helped a lot to settle in.
"The fact that I speak the same language is actually a big benefit as well, to get to know people on a more personal level.
"It's a team that obviously has a lot of very good history, so they know what they're talking about. And I think with my own experience coming in from the outside as well, it's been very valuable. So I'm looking forward to starting the season together."
How Jaguar got its teeth into Formula E's Gen3 development race
Middle East nations capable of hosting more Formula E races, says Saudi chief
Ford: F1’s boom means it "requires consideration"
Ford’s motorsport boss says it would be remiss of the American car giant not to be considering a Formula 1 return amid the series' rapid growth in the United States.
Diriyah E-Prix: Ticktum tops Friday practice from Buemi
Dan Ticktum topped the second Diriyah E-Prix free practice session with a 1m10.099s, seeing off a late challenge from 2015-16 Formula E champion Sebastien Buemi.
Toyota WRC boss Latvala plotting rally return
Toyota World Rally Championship boss Jari-Matti Latvala is plotting a competitive rally return with an outing behind the wheel of Toyota’s new Rally2 GR Yaris.
No Ferrari number one driver, but Vasseur won't hesitate to "take action"
New Ferrari Formula 1 boss Fred Vasseur says there will be no number one driver at the team this season, but he won't hesitate to "take action" if needed.
The first impressions of Formula E's brave new era
OPINION: Formula E kicked off its Gen3 era at Mexico City with keen anticipation - and anxiety - surrounding its new, more powerful cars. Here's how the new machinery got on in its first race, and what could be open to improvement later down the line
How Dennis dominated Formula E's new generation opener
Formula E’s Gen3 era kicked off with more unpredictability as Andretti’s Jake Dennis recovered from poor pre-season testing to dominate in Mexico. Here's how it played out and what the opener hints at what is to come in the new generation of the electric series
Is this a Formula E 'nearly man's' best chance yet at title glory?
With braking issues scuppering his championship hopes at a crucial moment in the 2021-22 Formula E season, Mitch Evans is more determined than ever heading into this year. He explains how he plans to make it third time lucky after two title near-misses
Can McLaren make a success of its foray into Formula E?
McLaren kept a two-time title-winning Formula E team alive after purchasing the Mercedes entry. But with new drivers and a switch to customer status, can it continue to succeed in its new orange era?
10 things we learned from Valencia Formula E testing
The prologue to the 2022/2023 Formula E season has concluded as the series gets set for the new Gen3 era. After almost four days of testing in Valencia this week, Autosport takes a look at the 10 major talking points that will dominate the build-up to the new campaign getting underway in January.
How Jaguar got its teeth into Formula E's Gen3 development race
With Mercedes gone and DS moving teams, Jaguar has a big opportunity at the start of Formula E's Gen3 era. The technical challenges in understanding the new car have been vast, with senior figures James Barclay and Phil Charles outlining to Autosport the pitfalls along the way
The top 10 Formula E drivers of 2021-22
After a wild 2020-21 season, this year's Formula E campaign had a much stronger narrative to it, but ended with the same result as a driver from the Silver Arrows squad triumphed. Here's our guide to those who shone brightest during the campaign
The trait Vandoorne rediscovered to claim Formula E's era-ending title
After Nyck de Vries was crowned Formula E champion in 2021, his Mercedes team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne stepped forward this season as the Gen2 era and his team bowed out. As he did on the way to the GP2 crown in 2015, the Belgian achieved a peerless level of consistency and was only outside the points once, with his sole win in Monaco sufficient to head off a chasing pack headed by Mitch Evans
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.