Review of the Renault e-dams and Audi presentations
The two teams that shared the drivers' and constructors' titles last season have both presented the single-seaters that will take part in the 2017-2018 Formula E championship.

The presentation of the constructors’ championship team took place at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Élysées in the presence of the two team managers Alain Prost and Jean-Paul Driot, as well as the drivers Nicolas Prost and Sébastien Buemi.
In terms of visual identity, the dominant color remains blue, which becomes glossy rather than matte. As for the rest, the disappearance of yellow in favor of white on the livery is quickly noticeable. The aim is to create a clear distinction between the Formula E team, which uses blue, and the Formula 1 team, which is focused on yellow. Technically, no information has been revealed about the evolution of the power unit in the single-seaters. Let’s recall that the chassis itself is not developable. The single-seaters will begin their shakedown on the track next week during the pre-season testing sessions at the Valencia circuit.
For his part, Alain Prost is confident about the upcoming season: “I am delighted to finally unveil the colors we will use to defend our title in this new season. Our goal remains the same as in the last three years, to win the team and driver championships. We have seen that the competition will be tougher with some great automobile manufacturers joining the championship, but we have a very good team and a very solid technical partnership with Renault. We also have two excellent drivers, who have worked together very well since the beginning of our adventure; they are very complementary. We have real cohesion at all levels, which is our strength. This year, our motivation is stronger, even though we know that the challenge will be more difficult to overcome.”
The co-founder of the team, Jean-Paul Driot, explains the chosen livery and outlines the season’s objectives: « The new livery for season 4 gives a fresh impetus to our Renault e-dams to race at the front of the grid. However, as always in motorsports, we must remain humble. The competition with the biggest manufacturers will be tough, but adversity is the engine of our great motivation. »
You were waiting for it, here is the #ZE17 our new flagship for season 4. Ready as ever to fight for a 4th title. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/XNIVGgDJtp
— RENAULT e.dams (@RENAULTedams) 26 septembre 2017
On the Audi team side, this presentation represents a novelty since it’s the very first time that a factory electric single-seater is fielded by Audi Sport. Until now, Audi was only a supporter of the Abt Schaeffler team, but now it’s under the banner of the four-ring brand that the team will race.
The Audi e-tron FE04, which takes the name previously used for its LMP1s in WEC, will be equipped with a single-ratio gearbox and features an entirely new powertrain. On the management side, it’s the triple Le Mans 24 Hours winner and former Formula 1 driver, Allan McNish, who has been appointed as the team director.
In terms of livery colors, the change is radical compared to the flashy red, yellow, and green colors of previous seasons. Now it’s white that dominates with touches of green, as well as touches of black or red depending on the drivers. Indeed, Daniel Abt’s car (who is therefore staying with the team) will be covered with some touches of red, while Lucas Di Grassi’s will receive some touches of black.
Peter Mertens, who is part of the Audi board of directors and specifically in charge of technical development, insists that the brand’s involvement is part of a broader strategy: After nearly 40 years of high-level motorsport activity, Audi becomes the first German car manufacturer to compete in Formula E to test and advance the development of new production technologies. Following the quattro, TFSI, TDI, hybrid propulsion, and many other innovations, our first racing single-seater is a harbinger of our offensive in the field of electric mobility, which we will launch with the Audi e-tron in 2018.
Dieter Gass, Audi Group’s competition director, detailed the significant changes made to the single-seaters: « In collaboration with our technology partner Schaeffler, we have developed an entirely new powertrain. You can see it immediately by looking at the new carbon housing of the powertrain. The car also sounds different because we are exploring new technological paths. »
Take a 360-degree spin of our new Audi e-tron FE04 #etron #FormulaE #LeagueofPerformance pic.twitter.com/ejFKoItRTG
— Audi Sport (@audisport) 27 septembre 2017