A report from Autosport has claimed Mercedes will be leaving Formula E when the new Gen3 cars are launched in 2022, which could be officially confirmed in the coming days.
Mercedes had previously issued a statement asking for “clarification” on “key details about the structure of the series” when they signed a delayed option to develop the new Gen3 cars, which will include significant changes to the current crop.
Toto Wolff confirmed to Autosport that “a decision has been made” regarding their future involvement in Formula E in the upcoming Gen3 era of 2022-23, having competed under the nickname HWA Racelab in the 2019-20 season.
Wolff added: “If Mercedes goes away, which we didn’t say, then of course you have to work on alternative strategies.
“We’re not just into sports because we guys like to compete and go around in circles.
“But it’s mainly a marketing and communication platform.
“And that’s why, like everything we do, it is constantly evaluated with regard to the benefits that each platform can generate for Mercedes-Benz.
“Aside from, say, the marketing value it generates, it’s about technology transfer and those two have to go hand in hand: technology and marketing.
“Is that why everything is constantly being evaluated and does that really contribute to where we see the brand?
“Whatever we will see in terms of decisions, it’s never 100% that we want to get out of there because we don’t like it anymore.
“[Nor is it] 100%, we love it – that’s why we stick with it forever. It’s much more nuanced. “
Berlin… 
# WeDriveTheCity #BerlinEPrix #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/VFdDaaPld0
– Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team (@MercedesEQFE) August 15, 2021
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Mercedes EQ driver Nyck de Vries, who is reportedly one of the drivers in the frame who may be driving with Williams in Formula 1 this season, is leading the Formula E standings with three points ahead of the season finale in Berlin on Sunday on.
Although Mercedes has committed itself to building all-electric cars from 2025, Daimler has reportedly made a decision at board level to remove the team from the sport.
Wolff also said that Formula E management is aware of Mercedes’ decision to either stay or withdraw, but there is a possibility that Mercedes F1 team boss Wolff will join a team as a privateer from next season.
“We have a fully functional team that we can be proud of in a series that is fun,” added Wolff.
“We also have a certain responsibility towards the team and the series.”
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