*NOW UPDATED WITH VIDEO* Audi confirms it will ‘intensify its future commitment’ in Formula E with ABT Schaeffler ahead its first ever official entry in a single seater motor racing series in 2017/2018.
Seems Jaguar has started a trend. Having announced its official return to motorsport in next season’s all-electric Formula E series, Audi has now confirmed it will undertake it first ever single seater campaign in the series.
Though the Ingolstadt brand is an official partner of series regulars and race winners ABT Schaeffler, Audi Sport states the move ‘intensifies its future commitment’, Formula E now being incorporated into a ‘factory-backed motorsport program’ as of next season alongside its DTM and World Endurance Championship programs. It also marks the first time Audi will official enter a single seater championship, despite numerous rumours of Formula 1 entries down the year. This also makes Audi the third manufacturer to give its official backing to the all-electric Formula E series, alongside new team Jaguar and drivetrain supplier Renault.
No official name change will be made ahead of the 2016/2017 season – due to kick off on October 9 in Shanghai, China – although Audi has stated the four rings will feature more prominently on the ABT Schaeffler FE02 cars driven by Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi, the latter of whom also competes for the brand in the WEC. You might also want to check out the above ‘Racing for a Reason’ video from Stereoscreen on the Brazilian, which was recently nominated for a 2016 London Motoring Film Festival award.
Alongside additional headline, the move also highlights a key step-change for the road car division, the board confirming that by 2025, every fourth Audi produced should – key word – be an electric vehicle.
