ABT Schaeffler FE02
For the upcoming 2016/17 season of Formula E, Audi will increase its involvement in Formula E Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport. The carmaker adds that for the following 2017/18 season, it plans to incorporate Formula E into a factory-backed motorsport programme.
“Electric mobility is one of the key topics in our industry,” said Dr. Stefan Knirsch, member of the board of management, technical development for Audi Group. “By 2025, every fourth Audi should be an electric vehicle. The first model for this is planned to be an SUV we’re going to present in 2018. In the light of these plans, adapting our motorsport program and taking up a commitment in a fully electric racing series is only a logical move,” he added.
Audi’s involvement in motorsport has yielded many positives, like its participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport stated that the company was the first manufacturer to have achieved victories with a TFSI engine, a TDI and a hybrid race car. Therefore, it intends to replicate this level of success in the world of full-electric racing.
To highlight Audi’s commitment to the motorsport, the ABT Schaeffler FE02 electric race car will be sporting new liveries and prominent Audi badging when it undergoes final testing from September 5 to 7 at Donington Park in the UK, ahead of the season opener in Hong Kong on October 9.
For the upcoming Formula E season, Renault e.Dams and Jaguar Racing are two teams that are fully backed by their named manufacturer, with the latter being the latest to named.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
I wonder what kind of involvement? More sponsorships to the team? Better paid drivers who retired from F1?
Correct me if I am wrong – the cars are all the same in terms of specifications. The only thing you can tweak are the suspension and some aero configurations.
Great….it is good to have more reputable big name manufacturers in Formula E, hopefully in the future it will give ‘Formula 1 a run of its money’….