Gerry Hughes appointed Team Principal of the NextEV NIO Formula E team

Gerry Hughes appointed Team Principal of the NextEV NIO Formula E team

It was announced yesterday by the NextEV NIO Formula E team that Gerry Hughes has been appointed Team Principal.

Hughes had previously been Acting Team Principal and Chief Race Engineer of the team. Alongside his new role at the team, he is also taking up a new position of Head of Performance Programme for NIO.

Hughes joined NextEV in December 2015 in the position of Chief Race Engineer. He took on duties as Acting Team Principal after the passing of Dr Martin Leach in November 2016. He will now fulfil the Team Principal role on a permanent basis.

In addition, his role as Head of Performance Programme for NIO, Hughes assumes responsibilities on the NIO supercar programme. The global start-up unveiled the 1 MegaWatt EP9 supercar, which has already achieved the fastest EV lap time at the Nordschliefe, on 21 November.

Hughes's motorsport experience prior to Formula E includes Formula 1, where he has fulfilled engineering roles with Caterham, Cosworth, Lola, Super Aguri, Red Bull, Jordan and Jaguar, Indycar and touring cars.

In a statement to the media yesterday Hughes is delighted to have secured the opportunity with the team and is looking forward to getting started with the team as quickly as possible.

“Taking on the role of project lead for both the Formula E team and EP9 supercar programmes will include new challenges for me, but they are challenges that my team and I relish. I must thank everyone at NIO for their support and confidence in me during this transitional period. I am extremely honoured that William Li and Lihong Qin have given me this opportunity and I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that both programmes are a success going forwards.”

Sarah Jones- @jonesy_laaa