Audi will become the first German manufacturer to enter the Formula E Championship, after acquiring ABT Sportsline.
That means that the ABT Sportsline will become Audi’s factory race team on the Formula E grid. The team will be renamed Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, starting from the upcoming season.
“We’ve been supporting the Formula E commitment with increasing intensity in recent months – on the race days, in the development of the new powertrain and in numerous off-track activities as well,” said Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management, Technical Development of Audi AG.
“That Audi will be the first German automobile manufacturer to be actively involved in the racing series starting next season is also a clear commitment of our brand to electric mobility, on the race track as of December and next year on the road as well with the new Audi e-tron,” he added.
Audi is planning to use their new Formula E team as part of their future electric models’ development, with the first one to be the 2019 all-electric E-Tron SUV.
The fourth Formula E season will start at Hong Kong on December 2. Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi will be the team’s drivers. The two drivers have scored 23 podiums and five victories combined, in the 29 races held to date.
PHOTO
