Mercedes clinched both the team and driver titles in Formula E last weekend, but has now announced that it will leave after next year and defend the championship only once. That means Mercedes only drove as factory equipment during the Gen2 era of Formula E and is leaving before the next car and format changes for the Gen3.
Not that it’s the only one – Audi and BMW officially left the series at the end of the season that had just ended. Andretti will continue to lead the BMW team, but ABT, a long-time employee of Audi and one of the teams in Formula E since the championship began, has not found a way to continue without the support of the plant. The last season of the Gen2 era will therefore be played with only 11 teams, but with the hope that the championship for Gen3 will rise to 12 again.
As with Honda’s announcement that it was leaving Formula 1 when BMW announced it was leaving Formula E, it was supposed to focus again on developing electric street cars. In Bimmer’s case, it pretty much ditched its entire motorsport program, which seems pretty sincere as a commitment when you’re reallocating funds.
Audi has – literally – gone for a hybrid excuse by leaving Formula E to supposedly develop EV technology in other series with more manufacturer freedom by using its Formula E technology in a Dakar rally car.
Mercedes goes a third way to explain why it doesn’t want to commit to the upcoming Gen3 era of Formula E. Its statement said it will reallocate the funds used for Formula E to develop road vehicles and that it is putting all of its motorsport research and development weight behind its hugely successful Formula 1 entry. You know, she mostly sold it to Ineos and Toto Wolff.
This is not necessarily the end for the team that drove Mercedes’ factory entry into Formula E. Originally acting as HWA, options are being explored to keep them going after the manufacturer leaves.
Mercedes Formula E Team Principal Ian James said: “We have been very fortunate to have enjoyed the support of Mercedes-Benz over the past few seasons in building a class-leading Formula E company. I would like to thank the company for their trust and support to thank.” on our trip so far – and up to a hopefully successful end to the eighth season with a tough championship challenge. “
“Although Mercedes-Benz has decided to leave, we recognize the value and power of Formula E. Therefore, we will explore the best options for the team to compete beyond Season 8,” James continued.
Mercedes is currently supplying powertrains to Venturi, but team boss Susie Wolff confirmed that the Monegasque buccaneers had begun examining contingency plans ahead of this year’s London ePrix in case Mercedes should withdraw.
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