Mercedes Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff doesn’t necessarily believe the exodus of manufacturers from Formula E is a bad thing, and sees it as a potential opportunity for a “reboot”.
Formula E will lose three of its biggest manufacturer teams following the conclusion of its eighth season, with Audi and BMW leaving this year and Mercedes pulling the plug on its factory outfit next year.
Although it still leaves the likes of Jaguar and Nissan, privateer teams now outnumber manufacturer teams and Wolff sees opportunity for those privateers to grow as a result.
“Upheavals always offer opportunities for change,” Wolff told Germany’s BILD in a joint interview with his wife Susie Wolff, who is also team boss at privateer outfit Venturi.
“At first glance, of course, it is unfortunate that three premium manufacturers are leaving at the same time, but maybe Formula E needs some sort of reboot right now to take the next step.
“Other teams, possibly more private ones, will grow because they will come into the spotlight.”
Mercedes-Benz EQ were crowned champions in Berlin, whilst Venturi – a customer of Mercedes’ powertrain – won the final race leading Wolff to praise his wife’s management.
“Of course, we were very happy about the title. But [Venturi racer] Edoardo Mortara was not only runner-up in the championship, but Susie’s driver Norman [Nato] also won the last Berlin race.
“This is at least to be regarded as an equal success,” added Wolff. “To make a private team competitive without a large corporation behind it and to lead to victories and a runner-up in the World Championship cannot be rated highly enough.”
The electric dream is over. It was all a “do this or else” by western governments to car companies, in which all have complied with and lied about an “electric future” (except Toyota who have publicly stated they don’t believe electric is the future). The only ones who benefited from each car company pouring billions in electric technology was the climate change industry (same ole elite/politicians as usual), who made hundreds of billions if not trillions. All of the major manufactures who have left FE are going to Le Mans with hydrogen and synthetic fuels (made from wine and food residue) that run in normal ICEs. These cars will be fighting for overall victories there in only a few years. This was discussed all weekend during Le Mans — it’s really happening. Meanwhile, there was not one mention of an electric car joining the race in the future.