Twitter Facebook Youtube

Mercedes show serious interest in Formula E

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The current Formula 1 Constructors’ champions have reached out to the all-electric championship, with the German manufactures eyeing up an entry into the motor racing series for the 2018/19 season.

In a statement this morning, both the FIA Formula E Championship and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix confirmed a deal had been made, allowing the German constructors to join the series for the fifth season if the team wishes to do so.

This news also means that three of the biggest German manufactures have shown an interest in being part of the electric racing series. BMW announced last week it was to partner with American team MS Amlin Andretti for the foreseeable future and Audi has increased their involvement with the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport ahead of season three.

In addition to three of the biggest manufactures in motorsport, Mercedes would also join the likes of DS, Jaguar and Renault whom all have race teams in the series.

“We have been watching the growth of Formula E with great interest,” Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, stated.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Electrification will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry” – Toto Wolff[/pullquote]

“At the current time, we are looking at all the options available in the future of motor racing, and we are very pleased with an agreement that secures us an opportunity to enter the series in season five.

“Electrification will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry – racing has always been a technology R&D platform for the motor industry, and this will make Formula E very relevant in the future.”

This news also comes as Formula E confirm that they would like to welcome another two teams to the sport from the 2018/19 season – taking the total number of teams from ten to twelve. The series would also like the current format of two cars per driver to be scrapped, favouring a single car format for the entirety of the event.

Speaking about the possibility of Mercedes entering Formula E, Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said:

“We are delighted to confirm that we have reserved one of our two new entries in season five for MGP.

“Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars.

” Having the chance to include a brand like Mercedes in our championship in the future would be a major boost to achieve that objective. Formula E is becoming an exciting mix of consolidated manufacturers like Renault, Citroen-DS, Audi, Mahindra or Jaguar, and new futuristic brands like Faraday Future, NextEV, or the likes of major component manufacturers like Schaeffler and ZF. Mercedes would be a great addition to that growing line-up.”

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Feature image courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

Additional image courtesy of Rajan Jangda

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]