It was a historic weekend for Mercedes in Formula E: Nick de Vries (26) won the first ever electric drivers’ world championship, and Mercedes the first title among automakers. A complete victory – as in the past seven years in Formula 1. But behind the scenes there is a roar. SPORT BILD KNOW: The premium manufacturer is preparing to phase out the electric formula by the end of 2022. This is followed by Mercedes, Audi and BMW, who have already pulled the plug after the ePrix in Berlin Tempelhof.
Recently, Daimler Group has repeatedly reneged on its commitment to the third generation of Formula E cars from 2022/23. The board has now decided around sales director Britta Seeger and chief development officer Markus Schaefer as well as chairman Ola Kaellenius to finish after the 2022 season. As part of the Formula E race in Berlin, some team partners have already been informed of this, as SPORT BILD has discovered.
Nick de Vries (26) won his first electric drivers championship.
Photo: Andreas Jura / D
Official confirmation is expected this week. Insiders rumored that they did not want to unnecessarily shake the team before the final. In England, “The Race” was the first to report on the plans, which SPORT BILD can confirm after its own research.
For Formula E, this is a huge blow after leaving BMW and Audi. With Porsche, only one German factory will remain on board until 2023. FIA President Jean Todt is unconcerned: “There have always been exits in racing history. Manufacturers come and go. Not only in Formula E. Motorsport is like a restaurant. Customers They change. Our job is to make sure they get good food when they come in.”
Mercedes will no longer organize the operation from HWA in Affalterbach as early as 2022, but will move the team to the Formula 1 plant in Brackley. It has been planned for a long time. Motorsports chief Toto Wolff acknowledges: “If Mercedes leaves Formula E, which I didn’t mean to say, we will have to look for alternatives to the team that is in a good position.” team and continue to fund it.
The background to the developments is still unclear. Mercedes has already fully committed to e-mobility on the road.