Mercedes-Benz has taken an option to enter the FIA Formula E Championship in season five, it has been officially announced. This comes after an agreement has been signed between Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd and Formula E Operations Ltd.
According to the option agreement, Mercedes may choose to be one of the maximum of 12 entries to be proposed by the championship promoter to the FIA to enter from the 2018/19 season. The reigning F1 champs could take one of the two new entries that will be allocated in season five – subject to FIA approval – when the all-electric racing series goes from the current format of two cars per driver, to a single car.
The current 10 teams in Formula E are all expected to continue in season five and beyond in their existing format, or join forces with other carmakers.
“We have been watching the growth of Formula E with great interest. 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,” said Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.
“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,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E.
Even if Mercedes wasn’t big in racing and electrification, which it is of course, the premium carmaker should join Formula E. Just not to feel left out, because real-world rivals BMW (also rejoining the WEC), Audi and Jaguar have all jumped on the electric racing bandwagon in some capacity.
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