Audi has completed its takeover of the Abt Formula E team for the fourth season of the championship, which will begin in December.
Audi has gradually increased its involvement in the team but will run as a fully-fledged works squad in the 2017/18 campaign, running under the ‘Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler’ banner.
The operation currently holds second in the 2016/17 Teams’ championship, and has taken five victories since the series’ inauguration, all courtesy of Lucas di Grassi.
“We’ve been supporting the Formula E commitment with increasing intensity in recent months – on the race days, in the development of the new powertrain and in numerous off-track activities as well,” says Dr. Peter Mertens, a board member at Audi/
“That Audi will be the first German automobile manufacturer to be actively involved in the racing series starting next season is also a clear commitment of our brand to electric mobility, on the race track as of December and next year on the road as well with the new Audi e-tron.”
Team owner Hans-Jürgen Abt added: “We’re proud that as one of the founding members we’ve added a chapter to motorsport’s history books.
“Within the space of just a few years, Formula E has seen such a strong development that a team can no longer be competitive without the backing of an automobile manufacturer.
“That’s why we’re gladly handing over the reins to Audi – a partner we’ve been successfully cooperating with in motorsport and routine business for many decades. There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to continue this success story in Formula E as well.”
