Mercedes arrives in Formula E in 2019, at the expense of its DTM program
Mercedes had to make a decision before the month of October. It has now been done: the Stuttgart manufacturer has just officially announced its entry into the electric discipline, while ending its commitment to DTM.
After several months of negotiations, the German brand has decided to make its official entry into Formula E for the 2019-2020 season. Last October, a first step was taken with a reservation with Alejandro Agag, CEO of the mentioned championship.
It is therefore as a manufacturer of its own powertrain that the Stuttgart brand will begin its involvement. Initial speculations suggested that Mercedes would get involved a season earlier through its sports division HWA, in partnership with another engine manufacturer. But the list of constructors for season five has already been finalized, as mentioned earlier on our site.
A few furlongs from the Hungarian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff reacted to this announcement: « In motorsport as in all other areas, we want to be the benchmark in the premium segment and explore innovative projects. »
As the executive director of the firm at Etoile, the Austrian has great faith in the growth of Formula E: « The combination of Formula 1 and Formula E allows us this. Like an exciting start-up, this championship offers a novel format, combining racing with high-profile events, in order to promote current and future technologies.
Electrification is coming to the world of road cars. Formula E offers manufacturers an interesting platform to bring this technology to a new audience and do so with a type of racing different from all other series.
The one who leads the team, current three-time Formula 1 world champion, explains Mercedes’ decision to postpone their entry by a year: « I am delighted that we can extend our option for the 2019-2020 season. This gives us time to fully understand the series and prepare our entry in the right way. »
For his part, Alejandro Agag believes that this announcement is a great day for the championship launched in October 2014: « Today is an excellent day as we welcome Mercedes to the Formula E family. This adds to the growing number of manufacturers joining the electric revolution! »
The Spaniard hopes that this new arrival will continue to promote the mobility of the future: This stage demonstrates how much the world is changing, not only in motorsport but also in the entire automotive industry. We are witnessing a transformation that will first change our cities, then our roads. Formula E embodies this change, and with all our teams and manufacturers, we will continue to push technologies to have more efficient and affordable electric cars.
The advent of this new sports program will, however, be at the expense of the one that ties the German brand to the DTM (German Touring Championship). Let us recall that since its creation in 1988, Mercedes has participated in 26 seasons, securing ten drivers’ titles, thirteen team championships, and six constructors’ titles. Mercedes will officially withdraw from the series at the end of 2018 to devote all its resources to Formula E.
Thus, a page in Mercedes’ history is turning with a complete shift towards single-seaters for its sports program. The involvement in Formula E does not currently jeopardize the brand’s Formula 1 program.
They say it’s #TheBestOrNothing! Coming to #FormulaE in Season 6 is… https://t.co/ETCZut7q2z pic.twitter.com/qlKtSHzkgu — FIA Formula E (@FIAformulaE) 24 juillet 2017
