MERCEDES TO WITHDRAW FROM DTM IN FAVOUR OF FORMULA E

Mercedes-AMG at the last DTM round in Moscow – Photo: LAT

Mercedes have announced that they will withdraw from DTM at the end of the 2018 season to then focus their attention on Formula E in 2019/20.

Since 2000, Mercedes has claimed seven drivers titles and eight manufacturer titles in DTM. The move comes just a year after Mercedes scaled down it’s support of DTM, from 8 to 6 cars. It will now leave just two manufacturers left supporting the series, Audi and BMW.

“Our years in the DTM will always be held high as a major chapter in the motorsport history of Mercedes,” said Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff.

“I want to thank every team member whose fantastic work has helped to make Mercedes-Benz the most successful DTM manufacturer during that time.

“Although leaving is tough for all of us, we will be doing everything during this season and next to make sure we win as many DTM titles as possible before we go. We owe that to our fans and to ourselves.”

The start of the last Formula E round in New York

While initially planning to joing Formula E for the 2018/19 season, Mercedes have pushed that back one year to give the manufacturer better time to learn the new category.

“In motorsport like in every other area, we want to be the benchmark in the premium segment and to explore innovative new projects. The combination of Formula 1 and Formula E delivers that,” said Toto Wolff during the announcement.

“Formula E is like an exciting start-up venture: it offers a brand new format, combining racing with a strong event character, in order to promote current and future technologies.

“Electrification is happening in the road car world and Formula E offers manufacturers an interesting platform to bring this technology to a new audience – and to do so with a completely new kind of racing, different to any other series.”

Alejandro Agag, Formula E CEO, welcomed Mercedes to his series

“Today is a great day as we welcome Mercedes to the Formula E family – adding to the increasing number of manufacturers joining the electric revolution.” said Agag.

“This shows how much the world is changing, not only in motorsport, but the whole automotive industry. We’re witnessing a transformation that will first change our cities, and then our roads.

“Formula E is the championship that embodies that change, and together with all our teams and manufacturers we’ll keep pushing for technologies, to have better and more affordable electric cars.”

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