Q&A: Russell O’Hagan on the 2025/26 Formula E season so far
With the first 10 rounds of the 2025/26 Formula E season in the books, Russell O’Hagan, CUPRA KIRO Team Principal, reflects on the encouraging progress and untapped potential from the first half of the campaign, discussing the lessons learned so far and the team's ambitions for the remaining races.
Q: How would you assess CUPRA KIRO’s 2025/26 Formula E season so far?
“It’s been a promising, but ultimately a mildly frustrating first half of the season. When we came into this year, our objective was to become more consistent and to establish ourselves as regular podium contenders. We have created a step change in potential internally, and secured two pole positions, one podium finish, and netted points at all but three rounds so far, but with 68 points on the board, it’s fair to say our results to date haven’t reflected the full extent of our performance capabilities. It’s vitally important we find ways to deliver more consistently in the second half of the season and tip the scales in our favour more than we have been. I believe with the team and drivers we have, that we can do that.”
Q: With two pole positions and a podium finish, the Monaco E-Prix appeared to be one of CUPRA KIRO’s strongest race weekends to date. What did you take from it?
“Monaco was for sure one of our most complete and most competitive weekends of the season thus far, but it was still bittersweet in that we could have delivered more. Across the weekend, Dan was exceptional in Qualifying and particularly dominant on Sunday, where he secured pole position by the biggest margin of the season to date. Unfortunately, the races themselves were a bit more challenging and as a team, we take accountability for not converting our Qualifying pace into stronger results.
“In Race 1 with Dan, we committed to a strategy of leading, knowing it would help increase the probability of a top five finish, but simultaneously understanding it would likely rule out a win. The cost of being the car which punches the hole in the air at the front is simply too high. We managed to stay in the podium positions however, but with that inevitable energy deficit, and a slight lack of race pace relative to the others in the top four, we were on the back foot. The combination of those factors meant Dan’s ability to hold off Antonio [Felix da Costa] was short-lived, and unfortunately the contact, and resulting penalty, effectively ended Dan’s hopes of strong points and a double top-five finish with both cars.
“Race 2 was similarly difficult for Dan, but in different ways. Having experienced the energy impact of leading Race 1, we elected to drop back initially but then lacked race pace to regain positions in a very chaotic race. The opportunity to salvage a few points from a difficult race was lost after Jake [Dennis] made contact with Dan.
“As always, there are a lot of contributing factors, but not converting a double pole to any race points is something which we all need to reflect on very pragmatically as unacceptable, and to take the next steps in how we go about our racing.”
Q: Pepe Martí has moved from strength to strength in his debut Formula E season. How significant was his first podium?
“Pepe’s podium in Monaco was very important both for him and for us as a team. While there are technically several rookie drivers on the grid this season, Pepe – unlike Felipe [Drugovich] and Joel [Eriksson] – arrived with no prior Formula E racing experience before São Paulo. The first time he drove a Formula E car was during Pre-Season Testing in Valencia, so every aspect of the championship was completely new to him. With that in mind, we wanted to be realistic and measured with our expectations because Formula E is a nuanced series with a steep learning curve, which is notoriously difficult for rookie drivers.
“What has impressed us the most is just how quickly Pepe has adapted. Since the beginning of the season, he’s consistently put himself in contention for points, and we felt it was only a matter of time before that approach netted him a podium. Ultimately, it came following Dan’s penalty, which made it bittersweet, but equally, Pepe had driven from 15th to fourth on the road. That kind of drive, in Monaco of all places, deserves recognition. I am both really pleased for him and incredibly proud of the team’s role in getting him to where he is already. They have delivered some great teachings, excellent strategy, race management, processes, and decisions. It’s been a pleasure to watch, but we have a lot more work ahead of us still, and we will keep raising the bar of how we define success for Pepe’s first season.”
Q: Dan Ticktum has shown strong pace this season, but the results haven’t always followed. How do you view his campaign so far?
“Dan has performed to a very high level again this season and deserves more than his current points tally reflects. If you look across the opening rounds, there have been several situations where circumstances outside of his control have prevented likely strong results, and based on his outright pace, he could have double to triple the points he currently does. Naturally, with that in mind, frustration can build over time, particularly for a driver like Dan, and in an environment as variable and competitive as Formula E.
“Having taken some time since Monaco to review the season to date, we have two clear takeaways. One is to really understand how we are approaching everything holistically with Dan. We are incredibly quick over one lap in all sessions, but falling short of our potential in the races, where the points are awarded. There is just no room for imperfections at the sharp end with the type of racing we have in Formula E, so we have to review and potentially slightly redefine our approach, targets and metrics. The second point is to ensure Dan’s frustrations and energy are harnessed constructively. We understand them, but as a team, we expect everyone to uphold the standards of professionalism, respect and teamwork that are fundamental to how we operate and best perform as an organisation. We have reviewed a number of topics with Dan openly since Monaco and are issuing a second formal reprimand of the season. We will be working together to adopt an improved approach, with more of what we need from him.
“What is equally important to say is that we also recognise our responsibility as a team to give Dan the platform and support he needs to deliver at his best, because there have been a number of occasions this season where we should have done better for him. He is a hugely talented driver and a very important part of the team. We trust that the process we are now in will deliver improvements from him on and off track, and we can have a very strong second half of the season together.”