The Bavarians are once again stepping up for a little wheel-to-wheel racing action, but this time around, internal combustion need not apply. Rather, it’s all about the electricity as BMW prepares a bid in the Formula E Championship. BMW just announced its intentions to make a full-fledged factory effort for Season 5 of the battery-powered sport, partnering with the Andretti Formula E works team for battle in 2018 and 2019. BMW will provide the team with an in-house developed powertrain produced under the banner of the newly created i Motorsport division, BMW’s latest racing skunk works, which will work alongside BMW’s M Division to advance its go-faster know-how. BMW says it’ll use the opportunity to advance its all-electric technology, which will eventually trickle down to street cars like the i3 and i8, as well as future models like the iNext electric crossover.
“The borders between production and motor racing development are more blurred at BMW i Motorsport than in any other project,” says Klaus Frohlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development. BMW’s timing coincides with recent rule changes that made Formula E participation more appealing to the automaker, including “omission of the car changeover” seen in previous seasons. Meanwhile, the Andretti team provides a natural fit for BMW, given the past collaboration between the two organizations. “I couldn’t pick a more prestigious or historic manufacturer to work with in Formula E,” says Michael Andretti.
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The push for ever-faster electric car development and adoption doesn’t show any sign of slowing down, and BMW’s new foray into Formula E will surely quicken the pace even further. After all, Jaguar, Renault, and Citroen are already there, while Audi says its on the way as well. Even Mercedes is looking like it could join the fray.
If you’re a fan of all-electric performance, this is exciting news indeed. If not, well, this probably looks like another nail in the coffin of “how things used to be” in the world of motorsport. Which side of the fence do you fall on? Let us know in the comments.