Mercedes Plans To Race On Electric Car Circuit

(RTTNews) - Mercedes, the Formula One world champions, could enter the Formula E electric car racing series in 2018-19 after the company took an option to be one of the two new teams in that season.

Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. or MGP and Formula E Operations Ltd. have signed an agreement under which Mercedes has taken an option to enter the FIA Formula E Championship in Season 5. Formula E, officially the FIA Formula E Championship, is a class of auto racing that uses only electric-powered cars.

According to the option agreement, Mercedes may choose to be one of the maximum of twelve entries to be proposed by the Championship Promoter to the International Automobile Federation or FIA to enter the 2018-19 Formula E Championship.

Subject to approval of the FIA, Mercedes could take one of the two new entries that will be allocated in Season 5. All the current ten teams in Formula E are expected to continue in Season 5 and beyond on their current format, or join forces with other OEMs.

In the fifth season, the all-electric racing series will change from the current format of two cars per driver, to a single car for the entire event. Drivers currently switch from one car to another mid-race.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said, "We are delighted to confirm that we have reserved one of our two new entries in Season 5 for MGP. Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars."

Mercedes Grand Prix executive director Toto Woff said, "Electrification will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry. Racing has always been a technology R&D platform for industry and this will make Formula E very relevant in the future."

Car manufacturers such as Citroen's DS brand, Audi, BMW, Renault and India's Mahindra are all involved in Formula E. The third season of Formula E starts this weekend in Hong Kong.

Mercedes is currently contracted to remain in Formula One until the end of 2020. The company has won the Formula One drivers' and constructors' titles for the past two seasons and is set to take both titles for a third successive time this year.