CUPRA KIRO prepares for Formula E debut in Brazil
Formula E's newest team, CUPRA KIRO, heads to Brazil ahead of World Championship debut in São Paulo
After months of anticipation, the wait is finally over. CUPRA KIRO will make its FIA Formula E World Championship debut at this weekend’s São Paulo E-Prix, and with 16 races in store this season, the 2024/25 campaign is shaping up to be an all-time classic.
São Paulo, a city and sprawling metropolis with more than 12 million residents, is known for its vibrant culture, carnival-like atmosphere, and its fiercely passionate motorsport fanbase, making it a fitting stage for CUPRA KIRO’s highly anticipated debut.
Discover The Circuit
Featuring 11 technical corners, three long straights – including the longest straight of the season at 750 metres – and high levels of energy sensitivity, the Anhembi Sambadromt Circuit will test driver skill and team strategy in equal measure, and in the face of immense heat and humidity, will push human performance to the limit.
Adding to the challenge, the São Paulo E-Prix marks the first competitive outing of Formula E’s new GEN3 Evo car, which has been purposely designed to push the boundaries of efficiency and speed in equal measure.
With Formula E’s already unpredictable nature, the debut of the GEN3 Evo, and CUPRA KIRO’s arrival, this weekend’s race promises to be anything but ordinary…
Hear from CUPRA KIRO
Alex Hui, Team Principal, CUPRA KIRO
“The São Paulo E-Prix will be a landmark moment for our team, and we’re excited to introduce CUPRA KIRO to the world this weekend. Since a highly promising pre-season test at Jarama, we’ve continued to take some good steps forward, and everyone in the team has been working incredibly hard to make sure that we’re in the best possible position for the first race of the season. Alongside performance and form more broadly, morale also goes hand-in-hand with results, and the mood and energy within the team is very positive. We’re united by one common goal, and we know the steps that we need to take to get there. At this stage, it just comes down to maximising our potential and executing a clean and consistent weekend, especially with the all-new GEN3 Evo package. I’m reserved to set any clear expectations at this time, but if we can leave this weekend knowing we took advantage of every opportunity, we can be happy.”
Russell O’Hagan, Chief Operating Officer, CUPRA KIRO
“We’re excited to get Season 11 started in São Paulo, and we’re ready to take on the challenge of everything that lies ahead. Not only is São Paulo our first race with the GEN3 Evo and the new four-wheel-drive system in Attack Mode, but we also have a new tyre to master which is significantly different in comparison to last year and could have a big impact on performance. This weekend’s race is the first of many this season and it presents a vital window of opportunity for us to start the year well, and build strong foundations in our knowledge for the remainder of the season and beyond.”
Dan Ticktum, Driver, CUPRA KIRO
“This season has been a long time coming, and I’m very happy to be part of CUPRA KIRO. I think pre-season testing was very positive. We had a couple of teething issues on the first day, but we reacted to things very well for our level of experience with the new systems on the GEN3 Evo. I think we made some good improvements, even in just four days. The car is pretty fast, and I don’t want to set any goals in stone, but I think we’ve possibly got quite a competitive package. It feels like I was in São Paulo only the other day, but it’s a great track, a great city, and I enjoy racing here. I’m looking forward to finally getting to race the new car – it’s been a bit of a wait, so I’m excited to get started.”
David Beckmann, Driver, CUPRA KIRO
“I’m very excited to make my debut with CUPRA KIRO this weekend. Since pre-season testing, I’ve worked very hard with the team to make sure that I’m prepared as much as possible, and taking the proper time to build up to São Paulo is the best thing that I can do. At pre-season testing, the car felt very good. I did a lot of laps, made a lot of progress, and we’ve continued to optimise our performance in the weeks since. Over this next weekend, there are new things that I will inevitably learn and discover, but I’m excited to see what São Paulo holds. I’m feeling comfortable, and with hard work, I’m confident that I’ll be able to build up and put together a positive season.”
Follow The Action
Our vision at CUPRA KIRO is simple but bold: we want to challenge the status quo, and we want to redefine what it means to go racing. As the lights starting lights flash out in São Paulo, we’re not just starting a race – we’re accelerating into a new chapter.
To find out where to watch the São Paulo E-Prix in your home country, click here.