Venturi Racing Formula E Team Acquired by US Investor Group

The first team to join the FIA Formula E Championship, ROKiT Venturi Racing, announced Thursday, there has been a change in its ownership.

The new ownership is led by Scott Swid and José M Aznar Botella – son of the former Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar.
From now on, Swid will act as the team Chairman & Managing Partner, while Aznar will assume the role of Managing Partner of Venturi Racing.

“I’ve had a unique perspective on Formula E since its inception, and I was captivated by the vision to promote a more sustainable future through electric racing from the outset,” Aznar said.

He also recalled that his first real experience of Formula E was at the finale of the inaugural season in Battersea Park back in 2015.

“What Alejandro and his team have done has fundamentally changed the way that people think about electric mobility.

“We are investing at a critical time in Formula E’s short history and, whilst there is so much potential for further development and commercial expansion, one of the priorities must be an improved partnership between the sport and the teams.

“Collaborating with Susie and Scott, my longtime friend and mentor, is a great joy for me personally, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

In its announcement, the team has also informed that alongside her role as Team Principal, Susie Wolff becomes a Managing Partner.

According to the investment group, the new ownership comes to start a new era within Venturi, building upon the team´s positive momentum and experience ahead of the inaugural season of the all-electric series as a World Championship.

Furthermore, Wolff remarked that the investment experience of Swid, and Aznar, will strengthen the team´s capabilities and provide interesting new perspectives and opportunities for the future.

“This move also demonstrates the positive role that the forthcoming cost cap has to play in the commercial viability and therefore appeal of the sport to investors and partners,” she said.

Wolff render thanks to Team Founder Gildo Pastor for his trust and support.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a visionary and have no doubt that Gildo will continue to push the boundaries of sustainable mobility far beyond what many dare to deem possible.”

Pastor will be retaining an interest within the team, but the focus of his attention will be Venturi Automobiles, working on electromobility and space endeavors.

“We have met so many milestones along our journey so far, including our first race victory, our first title partnership with ROKiT, and the addition of our powertrain partnership with Mercedes-Benz in a strategic response to the rapid evolution of the championship. Now we have a new and forward-thinking investor group, led by Scott and José, who see and feel the potential in the series and team as I do,” he stated.

On the investment concerning the Venturi FE Team, Swid outlined: “Investing in Venturi, with its heritage as an original team guided by the visionary Gildo Pastor, and competing in an exciting sport that promotes global sustainability and pioneering electric mobility is a great opportunity.”

“Every forward-thinking corporate board in the world is cognizant of the importance of sustainability and is looking for ways to invest in its future.

“Formula E is in its intermediate stage, having successfully overcome the hurdles of its early period. With this strong foundation, it is a great time to invest when the championship is established, and there is still so much growth to come.”

ROKiT Venturi Racing will remain headquartered in Monaco with Jérôme d’Ambrosio as Deputy Team Principal, and Edoardo Mortara and Norman Nato as the team´s driver´s line-up for the upcoming Season 7.

The 2020/2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season opener will take place at Parque O’Higgins in Santiago, Chile, with a double-header event scheduled for January 16th/17th.

Images courtesy of ROKiT Venturi Racing