Nick Cassidy has revealed that his decision to leave Jaguar and join Citroën in Formula E was influenced by his new teammate, Jean-Éric Vergne. Cassidy, who spent two seasons with Jaguar, announced his departure from the team ahead of the London E-Prix last season and was later confirmed as a Citroën driver in September. The New Zealander has stated that Vergne played a “big part” in his move, presenting him with the opportunity to join the team and providing insight into the team’s future plans.
Cassidy is looking forward to a fresh start with Citroën, which is making its debut in Formula E this season, replacing Maserati on the grid. He has been getting to know the Stellantis-powered Formula E Gen3 EVO car during pre-season testing in Valencia, where he delivered a solid performance. However, he is not putting pressure on himself, knowing that this is a building year for the team.
Cassidy’s biggest challenge will be adapting to the Stellantis powertrain and managing energy usage, which was a key strength of his during his time at Jaguar. He has acknowledged that he will have to re-learn how to manage energy in a Formula E race, but is confident that he can develop this skill.
The arrival of Citroën in Formula E comes a season before the introduction of the new Gen4 car, which Cassidy recently drove in a private manufacturers’ test. The New Zealander’s move to Citroën is also motivated by the prospect of being part of the team’s long-term plans, including the introduction of the Gen4 car.
Cassidy’s relationship with Vergne has been a significant factor in his decision to join Citroën. Despite a rocky past, including a notable incident in Misano in April 2024, the two drivers have put their differences aside, and Vergne played a key role in convincing Cassidy to join the team. Cassidy has praised Vergne’s influence, saying that he was “a big part” of his move and that their relationship has been “mega” so far.
Overall, Cassidy is looking forward to a new chapter in his Formula E career with Citroën, and is excited to work with Vergne and the rest of the team to build a successful future. With no pressure to win the championship this season, Cassidy is free to focus on developing his skills and helping the team to grow and improve.