Mercedes-Benz is set to secure one of the two extra slots in the Formula E Championship from season five, the organiser of the electric racing series has revealed. The series is yet to expand from 10 to 12 teams in 2018 if the existing teams agree with the new entries.
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said that he has been following the progress Formula E made 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.”
Mercedes-Benz would join an ever growing list of known manufacturers and EV pioneers. “Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars,” emphasised Formula E organiser Alejandro Agag. “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.”