Audi to Increase Formula E Racing Presence

Audi AG says it will “intensify” its role in the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport team over the next two seasons of the Formula E electric car series, culminating in a “factory-backed” program starting late next year.

For the 2016/2017 campaign, which kicks off Oct. 9 in Hong Kong, Audi will provide greater financial and technical support to the ABT team, which already has access to the carmaker’s motorsports facility in Neuburg, Germany. Audi’s Lucas di Grassi will continue to be one of the team’s two drivers along with Daniel Abt.

As a full partner in 2017/2018, Audi says it will work closely with Schaeffler throughout the technical development process of the car’s electric drivetrain. The race program supports Audi’s plans to launch a range of new plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles in coming years, the company notes.

Currently, all Formula E teams must use a common chassis and battery design. The 200-kW battery packs have to be swapped out midway through a race. In future seasons teams will be allowed to design their own vehicles and batteries.

The 10-team lineup includes entries from Faraday Future, Mahindra and Mahindra, PSA Group’s DS unit, Renault and Jaguar, which is joining the series this year. BMW also is said to be interested in competing.