Currently reading: BMW partners with Andretti Autosport for Formula E entry

German manufacturer says electric racing series allows technology transfer to road cars "on a whole new level"

BMW will work with the Andretti Autosport team when it enters the burgeoning all-electric Formula E championship as a full manufacturer from the 2018/19 season onwards.

Unlike rival Audi, which has bought the Abt Sportsline squad, BMW’s works entry will be run by the Andretti Autosport team, with the German firm supplying powertrains.

The deal has been expected: as reported by Autocar, BMW has had an engineering partnership with the American team this season, and Andretti’s driver line-up has included BMW-backed racer António Félix da Costa.

Klaus Fröhlich, the BMW board member responsible for development, said developing electric powertrains for Formula E would boost the development of BMW’s electric road cars.

“This project is driven by technology,” said Fröhlich. “We are using Formula E as a development laboratory, operating under the unique conditions that prevail in motor racing.

“The borders between production and motor racing development are more blurred at BMW I Motorsport than in any other project. The result is a technology transfer on a whole new level.” 

Read more

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BMW partners with Andretti Formula E team

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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