BMW has announced that it will be joining Formula E as an official manufacturer in the series’ fifth season of running where it will build a new powertrain which will be used by Andretti Formula E in the 2018-2019 Season.
BMW to join Formula E as a manufacturer in Season 5
“Through our involvement in Formula E, we are addressing the development towards sustainable and emission-free mobility in the automobile industry and are also making a contribution to the brand’s progression to BMW iNEXT,” said Klaus Fröhlich, a member of the management board of BMW AG.
“This project is thoroughly driven by technology. We are using Formula E as a development laboratory, operating under the unique conditions that prevail in motor racing – with very unique demands and opportunities. The borders between production and motor racing development are more blurred at BMW i Motorsport than in any other project. The result is a technology transfer on a whole new level. We are certainly confident that the BMW Group will benefit greatly from the experience gained in the field of electrotechnology during this project,” he added.
Since the creation of Formula E, BMW has been involved and provide the safety car and the medical car for the series, and joined forced with Andretti in the second season to provide technical support. By providing a powertrain however, the German car giant will become directly involved with the Andretti team in season five.
“We are excited to expand our partnership with BMW i and serve as BMW’s official Formula E works team beginning in Season 5,” said Michael Andretti, the Chief Executive Officer of Andretti Autosport. “The ongoing collaboration between BMW and Andretti Formula E has provided a strong foundation for BMW’s entry as an official manufacturer. We look forward to running BMW’s first all-electric racing drivetrain and competing for the Formula E Championship. BMW is leading the automotive future with the BMW i line and their innovation in electric car technology. I couldn’t pick a more prestigious or historic manufacturer to work with in Formula E.”
