Two big announcements last week have rocked the Formula E category. First it was Audi announcing that they are leaving at the end of the 2020/21 season. Two days later BMW followed suit and also declared that they would be leaving the category as well.
In confirming their withdrawal, BMW reportedly commented that they had “essentially exhausted the opportunities” to develop its technologies within Formula E.
“Our journey in Formula E is hitting the home stretch. After seven successful years, BMW Group will end its involvement in the series at the end of the coming season,” a team statement read.
Audi also confirmed it will leave Formula E at the end of the season, as it prepares to switch focus with a new LMDh programme in addition to a 2022 Dakar Rally assault.
Le Mans Daytona hybrid (LMDh) cars will be able to compete in both the WEC and IMSA categories, hence BMW will be targeting both the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO)) and 24 Hours of Daytona (International Motor Sports Association (IMSA)).
LMDh will have the same spine (spine = complete car without bodywork, engine, hybrid) as the next generation of Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) with a manufacturer branded and stylized bodywork, engine, a common single source rear wheel drive hybrid system and be part of a Global BOP (balance of performance) to harmonize the overall performance of the LMDh and LMH cars
BMW has also recently pulled out as a manufacturer effort in the DTM following the end of the Class 1 regulations at the end of the 2020 season.
While the very strong marketing side of Formula E has kicked in and said that it is business as usual, let’s not forget that it is a category propped up by manufacturers (BMW, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Mercedes, Mahindra). Toyota have never committed to Formula E as their path is more with hybrid technology than pure electric.
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