Formula E has added a clause to its regulations that will effectively fine a manufacturer for quitting the sport.
The all-electric championship updated its Registration Procedure to include a financial penalty for manufacturers which leave before a rules cycle has run its course.
Formula E will introduce its Gen 3 car in 2022 and that will run for a minimum of four seasons. Should a manufacturer quit in that time, they will be forced to pay the registration and homologation fee of €300,000 per season until the end of the rules cycle (i.e. when a Gen 4 car is introduced).
The rule states that the fee must be paid in one lump sum 60 days after the manufacturer’s withdrawal.
The updated Article 7.4 reads: “In the event a Manufacturer withdraws from the Championship prior to the end of the Cycle, the Manufacturer’s sole liability and the FIA’s exclusive remedy for such withdrawal shall be the payment of the World Championship registration and homologation fee for the Season from which the Manufacturer has withdrawn until the end of the Cycle, to be paid in one instalment within 60 days from the effective date of withdrawal.”
It has also added a clause to protect customer teams: “The Manufacturer shall be solely responsible for any consequences towards the Competitors it is supplying.”
This is likely in response to Audi and BMW’s decision to quit, both of which supply customers teams. Envision Virgin and Audi have struck a deal that will see it continue to use Audi’s powertrain for the 2021-2022 season.
However Andretti has yet to strike a deal with BMW and could be left without a powertrain this year.
The sport has also updated its supply pricing for customer powertrains, with a “ready to race” car not exceeding €835,000 under an original statement, however this has been revised to include battery refurbishment costs at €195,000 and a maximum fee for replacement components set at €427,300 – an increase of €200,000.
This means a new total of €1.23m for a “read to race” car, but excludes a service charging fee of €300,000 per car.
