BMW follows Audi, exiting Formula E
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BMW follows Audi, exiting Formula E
Says it has learned all it can about electric drivetrains from the series
BMW will be following Audi out of the electric Formula E series at the end of next year after announcing its departure on Wednesday.
Audi said on Monday it would withdraw as a works team to focus on the Dakar Rally and endurance racing, including an eventual return to Le Mans.
BMW said in a statement a day after pre-season testing ended in Spain that its journey in Formula E was "hitting the home stretch" and the group's strategic focus was shifting.
"When it comes to the development of e-drivetrains, BMW Group has essentially exhausted the opportunities for this form of technology transfer in the competitive environment of Formula E," it said.
BMW's Formula E team is run by U.S.-based Andretti Motorsport, which indicated it was making plans to mount its own Formula E campaign.
Formula E's seventh season starts in Chile in January. Other major manufacturers involved include Mercedes, Porsche, Nissan, Jaguar and Citroen's DS brand.
The series, which is now an FIA-backed world championship, is due to move to a third generation of cars in 2022. India's Mahindra are so far the only manufacturer to have committed to that future.
Audi said on Monday it would withdraw as a works team to focus on the Dakar Rally and endurance racing, including an eventual return to Le Mans.
BMW said in a statement a day after pre-season testing ended in Spain that its journey in Formula E was "hitting the home stretch" and the group's strategic focus was shifting.
"When it comes to the development of e-drivetrains, BMW Group has essentially exhausted the opportunities for this form of technology transfer in the competitive environment of Formula E," it said.
BMW's Formula E team is run by U.S.-based Andretti Motorsport, which indicated it was making plans to mount its own Formula E campaign.
Formula E's seventh season starts in Chile in January. Other major manufacturers involved include Mercedes, Porsche, Nissan, Jaguar and Citroen's DS brand.
The series, which is now an FIA-backed world championship, is due to move to a third generation of cars in 2022. India's Mahindra are so far the only manufacturer to have committed to that future.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,113
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From: New York
BMW is a lost brand right now - they need a new CEO imo.
MB has really surpassed them in motorsports success since 2000 especially with all their success in F1 which then translates to special road cars like the AMG GT.
Audi lost its status to Porsche in EV innovation under the VW group.
MB has really surpassed them in motorsports success since 2000 especially with all their success in F1 which then translates to special road cars like the AMG GT.
Audi lost its status to Porsche in EV innovation under the VW group.
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