Robin Frijns’ departure from ABT CUPRA was confirmed ahead of the 2022/23 Formula E season finale, with him set to return to Envision Racing.
Right before the final race in London got underway, it was announced by ABT CUPRA that Frijns’ contract for 2024 had been terminated, allowing him to move on.
It’s been reported by The Race that the Dutch driver signed a deal with former side Envision after the Rome E-Prix, which will see the two-time Formula E winner return to the Silverstone-based team.
He’s set to form an incredibly experienced driver pairing with Sébastian Buemi, as Nick Cassidy is set to be announced as Sam Bird’s replacement at Jaguar TCS Racing.
Frijns’ return to ABT CUPRA this season certainly didn’t go well, as the Kempten-based team boasted the most uncompetitive package on the grid. This was largely due to their powertrain supplier, Mahindra, who also endured a miserable year.
His return to the German outfit couldn’t have started any worse, as he fractured his hand and wrist in an opening lap crash at the Mexico City season-opener.
An operation followed, which saw him out for four races. Frijns’ return in São Paulo certainly didn’t set the world alight, with him having reportedly become frustrated with the team’s uncompetitiveness.
The 32-year-old ended the season with just two top 10 finishes and a shock pole position, which came at a drenched Berlin where ABT CUPRA came to life. Out of the drivers who started season nine, Frijns finished at the foot of the Drivers’ Championship on six points.
Frijns’ expected Envision return will see him quite literally go from the bottom to the top, with Envision having claimed the Constructors’ Championship at the season finale on Sunday. He’ll certainly have a competitive package at his disposal, but this will put him under pressure to deliver results.
Frijns’ departure comes as a disappointment to ABT CUPRA team-mate Nico Müller, who admitted that he was sad to see the Dutch driver leave.
“Yeah, I am,” Müller admitted to Motorsport Week. “I think he’s been a great attribute to the team.
“He has also contributed a lot to that great team spirit that I mentioned before. So he will be dearly missed, but now we’ll try our very best to beat him on track.”
With Frijns being so close to ABT, Team Principal Thomas Biermaier stated that the Dutch driver would continue to be a “member of the ABT family”.
Biermaier stressed that Frijns played an “important role” in helping the backmarker side improve throughout the campaign, in what he admitted was a “difficult year”.
“Robin was, is and will always remain a friend and member of the ABT family,” said Biermaier.
“He played an important role in our comeback with his great experience, although it was a difficult year for him after the accident at the start of the season. Now we wish him all the best for the new challenges.”
