Starting in the 2016/2017 season Audi will extend its association with Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport by providing financial and technical support. Additionally, Audi will introduce its own factory-backed Formula E car from the 2017/2018 season.
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport, said, "Audi has consistently been using motorsport to test and develop new technologies further for subsequent use in production. With quattro drive we revolutionised rally racing and subsequently set standards in circuit racing as well. In the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi was the first manufacturer to have achieved victories with a TFSI engine, a TDI and a hybrid race car, so writing motorsport history on several occasions. Now we intend to repeat this in fully electric racing. Formula E with its races being held in the hearts of major cities is an ideal stage for this purpose and Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport a logical partner for us."
Discussing the company's motorsport program, Dr Stefan Knirsch, Member of the Board of Management, Technical Development, AUDI AG, said, "Electric mobility is one of the key topics in our industry. We intend to evolve into one of the leading premium car manufacturers in this field. By 2025, every fourth Audi should be an electric vehicle. The first model for this is planned to be an SUV we're going to present in 2018. In the light of these plans, adapting our motorsport program and taking up a commitment in a fully electric racing series is only a logical move."
The intensification of its involvement in Formula E reinforces Audi's commitment to the advancement of electric vehicles. In fact, the four-ringed automaker recently also confirmed the production of the Audi A9 e-tron that will take on the all-electric Tesla Model S.
