“MOBILITY FOR TOMORROW’ ALSO IN MOTORSPORT: SCHAEFFLER SUPPORTS NEW INTERNATIONAL RACING SERIES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
When a new era begins in motorsport in a month from now, Schaeffler will be on the grid of the new FIA Formula E as the exclusive technology partner of Team ABT Sportsline, with its logo featured on the cars of Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi. The series will be held with fully electric vehicles in major cities around the globe. The inaugural event will take place in Beijing (China) on September 13.
“Helping to shape the electrification of the automobile is one of our key strategic topics of the future. Schaeffler is an innovation leader in this field, frequently pioneering new ideas. Formula E is bold and visionary, which makes it a perfect fit for us and an ideal complement to our commitments in the DTM, the WEC and Formula Student,” says Member of the Management Board for Technology Prof. Peter Gutzmer. “Motorsport is not only ideally suited to accelerating the further development of new technologies but energizes the topic of electric mobility with emotions in a fascinating way.” The collaboration with ABT Sportsline has a long-range focus and far exceeds a pure sponsoring arrangement. “We’re going to support the further development of the race car and its components with the know-how and experience of our engineers in the future,” adds Gutzmer.
“We’re delighted that in Schaeffler we’ve got a perfect partner for the challenges in Formula E on board, as from the company’s presence in the DTM we’ve come to know the passion with which all the employees support motorsport,” says Managing Director Hans-Jürgen Abt. “The collaboration in the field of technology is a very important aspect. Starting in the second season, the teams will be allowed to subject some of the vehicle’s components to further development – so a partner with such a wealth of engineering expertise and experience in electric mobility is obviously worth a mint.”
ABT Sportsline is the only German team in an international field that includes outfits from the USA, India, China and Europe. The former Formula One stars Alain Prost and Jarno Trulli are entering their own teams, as well as adventurer Richard Branson and actor Leonardo DiCaprio. More than ten drivers have experience in Formula One, including the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi (30), who competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The second cockpit is occupied by the German youngster Daniel Abt (21), who is also running in GP2 as part of the Formula One supporting program.
Formula E events will not be held on permanent race tracks but on street circuits in the heart of major cities. After Beijing, where the circuit also takes in the Olympic Stadium, Formula E will be visiting Putrajaya (Malaysia), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Miami and Long Beach (both USA), Monaco and Berlin (Germany), as well as London (Great Britain) that will be hosting the finale on June 27, 2015. At the events, free practice, qualifying and the race will all take place on a single day.
