FIA Formula E - LGT for electromobility and innovation

Formula E is setting new standards in motorsport. In only a short span of time, it has succeeded in establishing itself as an attractive racing series that captivates millions of spectators around the world. As the first class of auto racing for electric cars, it stands for innovative sustainable technologies.

As a sponsor of the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler Formula E team, we are proud to be part of this pioneering project. Long-term, progressive and sustainable thinking and actions have long been an important part of our corporate culture. Our commitment to the Formula E enables us to make a contribution to propelling e-mobility and its further development forward.

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 Tickets and details: www.fiaformulae.com

From the outset, the ABT Formula E team and its two drivers Lucas di Grassi and Daniel Abt have succeeded in remaining at the forefront in the battle for the top spots. After taking third and second place in the overall rankings in seasons one and two, Lucas di Grassi made it to the very top of the podium in 2017. With three pole positions and seven podium finishes, he succeeded in clinching the overall victory. “Today is the best day of my career”, said Lucas di Grassi after the last race. “I believed in Formula E from day one because the world is changing, which means that motorsport is also changing. We’ve had three fantastic years filled with a lot of emotions and unforgettable moments. But today’s victory is the absolute highlight and the reward for our unbelievable team and competitive spirit. I am proud to be the Formula E champion.”

In the fourth season, German automobile manufacturer Audi will be assuming ABT Sportsline’s  spot on the Formula E starting grid. ABT will be responsible for the Audi race cars as the fielding team. “We are proud to have helped write a piece of motorsport history as one of the founding members”, says Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO ABT Sportsline. “Because Formula E has grown so rapidly in only a few years, it is no longer possible for a team to be competitive without the support of an automobile manufacturer. That’s why we are happy to now hand over the command to Audi – a partner with whom we have been collaborating successfully in motorsports and in day-to-day operations for many decades. I am certain that we will carry this success story forward in the Formula E.”

During the first Formula E season in 2014, all teams started with the same cars. Since then, however, the teams have been authorized to fully modify their power trains. All the other components remain the same for all teams. Audi e-tron FE04, a true single-seater race car, is the name of the car that Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler will be racing in the fourth season. Its core element is the combination of the motor and transmission, which was developed by Audi together with its technology partner Schaeffler. The Audi e-tron FE04’s power is supplied by a battery weighing 200 kilograms, developed by Williams Advanced Engineering. All of the cars have the identical battery. The lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 34 kWh, of which 28 kWh may be used. It is located between the driver’s seat and the powerstrain.

Technical data

The cars accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately three seconds. Their maximum speed is 225 km/h. 200 kW are available during the practice sessions and qualifyings, while 180 kW are available during the race. The noise level during races is around 80 decibels, which corresponds approximately to the volume of a truck driving by at a distance of 7.5 meters.

Length: 5000 mm, width: 1800 mm, height: 1250 mm, weight: minimum 880 kg including driver

Electromobility and formula e

Over the last two years, Formula E has developed into an attractive international racing series, and its fan base is growing continuously. The staging of the races, which take place in the hearts of major cities around the world, has its own very special appeal – no other racing series offers spectators such an up-close look at the world of motorsport. Normally, spectators have to travel to circuits far outside city limits to attend traditional motorsport races. Formula E, on the other hand, brings the sport to the cities and to the people.

Electromobility, particularly in big cities, is becoming an increasingly important issue. “We will be seeing changes in mobility in the future. We expect that after 2020, we will witness a significant rise in the number of fully electric-powered vehicles,” says Prof. Peter Gutzmer, Deputy CEO and Chief Technology Officer at Schaeffler. “Particularly in cities, electromobility will become the norm.”

Accumulating knowledge for mass production

The knowledge that mechanics, developers and engineers accumulate as a result of the Formula E is enormously valuable for the further development of electrotechnology. The Formula E helps to better understand the technology and set new benchmarks in the development of innovative sustainable technologies. “We are the first German automobile manufacturer to be actively involved in this racing series”, says Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management, Technical Development, Audi AG. “This 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.”