Mercedes-Benz GP Ltd. has taken the option to enter Formula E beginning in its fifth season of competition from 2018-2019.
Mercedes signed the agreement with Formula E Operations Ltd. on Tuesday, and could be one of the two new entries that will be allocated in season five when the series expands from 10 teams to 12 teams, subject to FIA approval. The 10 current teams are expected to continue up to season five and beyond.
“We are delighted to confirm that we have reserved one of our two new entries in season five for MGP,” said Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag. “Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars.
“Having the chance to include a brand like Mercedes in our championship in the future would be a major boost to achieve that objective. Formula E is becoming an exciting mix of consolidated manufacturers like Renault, Citroen-DS, Audi, Mahindra or Jaguar, and new futuristic brands like Faraday Future, NextEV, or the likes of major component manufacturers like Schaeffler and ZF. Mercedes would be a great addition to that growing line-up.”
“We have been watching the growth of Formula E with great interest,” said Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “At the current time, we are looking at all the options available in the future of motor racing, and we are very pleased with an agreement that secures us an opportunity to enter the series in season five. Electrification will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry - racing has always been a technology R&D platform for the motor industry, and this will make Formula E very relevant in the future.”
The Mercedes F1 team is currently the strongest force in Formula One, with its two drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg fighting for the 2016 title.
