28/08/2025 10:00
Envision has officially confirmed that Sebastien Buemi has signed a
new multi-year contract, keeping him in Formula E with the team for
at least the next two seasons. This means the Season 2 champion
will be on the grid for Gen4 at the end of 2026, following the
upcoming final campaign of the Gen3 era, which gets underway in
December. RacingNews365 revealed earlier this summer that Buemi had
indicated a deal was being signed to enter a fourth season with
Envision; however, he initially raised concerns about the length of
the contract. Concerns over possible clashes between the Formula E
and World Endurance Championship calendars in 2027 had led to
suggestions that a multi-year deal would be off the table; however,
a solution appears to have been found. Buemi suggested in Berlin
that exit clauses could be included to allow a departure at the end
of next season, should calendar clashes arise – though there will
be none in 2026. The news comes a fortnight after Robin Frijns'
exit from the team was announced , with his replacement still to be
revealed. "I'm really happy to re-sign with Envision Racing," said
Buemi. "We have enjoyed plenty of great moments and results
together over the past three seasons, and I am very excited and
motivated to add to this. "Season 11 was a good year for me
personally, achieving the win in Monaco and podiums which have been
a great boost for us to keep working hard and achieve more this
season." The recently completed season was a much-improved one for
Buemi after a difficult spell during the first two years of Gen3.
His victory in Monaco – which ended a six-year winless streak – was
the clear highlight, but his overall performance was much more
reminiscent of the Buemi of old. Retaining Buemi for the 2025/26
season and at least the first campaign of Gen4 ensures that
Envision will keep one of the most experienced figures in the
paddock – something that could prove invaluable. "We are delighted
to confirm that Seb will remain part of the team," said team
principal Sylvain Filippi. "His experience and technical insight
have been instrumental in advancing both our car and our overall
performance. We're confident he will continue to drive us forward
and deliver strong results." Why multi-year Buemi deal is smart
business Although Buemi's continuation with Envision has been known
in the paddock for some time, the multi-year nature of his deal was
far less widely understood. Following Frijns' departure, securing
Buemi for at least two more seasons is a clever move by Envision
for several reasons. In the short term, Buemi's vast experience and
recent return to form give Envision the flexibility to take a
calculated risk with Frijns' replacement. They could opt for a less
experienced driver – or even a rookie – for Season 12, confident
that Buemi can deliver consistent points when the package is
competitive. That approach would also allow the team to nurture and
develop a young talent ahead of a serious push in Gen4. On the
other hand, the deal gives Envision time to identify the ideal
long-term partner for Buemi as Formula E enters its next regulatory
cycle, especially given the major differences in the machinery
itself and the driving style it could suit. As for Buemi himself,
very few – if any – can match his technical feedback, a quality
that will prove invaluable as Envision navigates its Gen4
development. Operating as a customer team is no easy task. With
limited opportunities to test and fine-tune the supplied package
before hitting the track, every detail matters. There's a clear
reason why the Swiss driver continues to work with some of the
biggest teams in global motorsport. He's not only blisteringly
quick, but his feedback is known for its clarity and precision.
Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner often praised Buemi
for his simulator work, crediting him with helping the team turn
around entire race weekends. Buemi's enthusiasm for the next
generation of Formula E is also hard to miss. When discussing Gen4
with him last season, a smile appeared on his face every time the
topic came up. He clearly likes what's on the horizon for the
series – and that excitement will only fuel his motivation to
ensure Envision's package is as competitive as possible. For
Envision, this is an excellent position to be in. But with 2027
potentially bringing calendar clashes, could it all be undone?
