Audi to leave WEC and focus on Formula E

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Formula E was given a boost today when Audi confirmed it would be pulling out of the World Endurance Championship at the end of this season to focus on the all-electric series, which it said is “regarded as the racing series with the greatest potential for the future”.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“After 18 years in prototype racing that were exceptionally successful for Audi, it’s obviously extremely hard to leave. Audi Sport Team Joest shaped the WEC during this period like no other team.” Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport[/perfectpullquote]

Audi has been involved in Le Mans prototype racing for eighteen years, making its move away from WEC huge for both series. It has also been confirmed the move also means no more 24 Hours of Le Mans for the manufacturer.

Audi have been one of the teams to demonstrate how WEC and Formula E can work hand in hand with developing technology, but now they have decided to focus their attention. The manufacturer currently has two Formula E drivers competing in the World Endurance Championship: season two runner up Lucas Di Grassi, and Dragon Racing’s Loic Duval. It’s not yet known whether any of Audi’s drivers will continue their WEC careers with other teams.

The move signals not only Audi’s commitment to Formula E, where it has partnered with the ABT Schaeffler team, but also its commitment to increasing the electric technology in its road cars, one of Formula E’s key aims.

“We’re going to contest the race for the future on electric power,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management. “As our production cars are becoming increasingly electric, our motorsport cars, as Audi’s technological spearheads, have to even more so.”

Audi’s commitment to the DTM remains unchanged, but its future in other series, such as the FIA World Rallycross Championship, is still uncertain.

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Image courtesy of Rajan Jangda

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