The Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E team will follow in the footsteps of its Formula 1 counterpart in running an all-black livery.
Formula E’s sixth season will come to a close in August with six races at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport – an event which will use three different track layouts.
Mercedes will run an updated all-black livery in line with its F1 team, which debuted the new livery at the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix as part of its drive for diversity. Like on the W11, the 01 will feature the ‘End Racism’ slogan on its halo.
“Like our counterparts from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team is speaking out openly and clearly against racism while advocating greater diversity. For this reason, the two Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01s will also have an all-black base livery for the season finale in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
“On the weekend of 8/9 August 2020, all four Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 and Formula E racing cars will show their solidarity at the racetrack. In addition, the slogan ‘End Racism’ will be prominently displayed on the halos of the two drivers, Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries.”
Team principal Ian James says he hopes it sends a clear message that there is no place for discrimination in motorsport and the wider community.
“We have always spoken out clearly against racism and all forms of discrimination, as they do not have a place in our team, in our sport or in our society. However, recent events around the world have shown that we all need to do more to use our platform to speak out against racism and discrimination.
“As part of the Mercedes-Benz Motorsport family, we’re sending out a clear signal for change.
“We know that we have to invest a lot of time and commitment in order to develop the right strategy. We have started work on it for our outfit and will conduct the way our team acts accordingly.
“Racing is an industry, in which ethnic diversity and gender equality have traditionally not been very prevalent. So, there is still a long way to go to compensate for the imbalance in all areas of our workforce. However, from the very first days of our budding team, we have campaigned for equal opportunities for all and against discrimination in all forms.
“Together with our partners, we see it as a duty to promote and train young talents – regardless of ancestry or gender – in order to give them the opportunity to join Formula E in the years to come.”
