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.”
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BMW partners with Andretti Formula E team
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