McLaren, a company synonymous with Formula 1 and awesome supercars, has thrown its hat into the electric Formula E racing ring. The British outfit has signed on to build the transmissions, electronics, and motors for the EV racing league’s cars when the season starts in 2014.
“I’m a passionate believer in the role that motorsport can play in showcasing and spearheading the development of future technologies, and regard the Formula E concept as an exciting innovation for global motorsport," said Martin Whitmarsh," CEO McLaren Group and Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
Frédéric Vasseur, a Frenchman who founded Spark Racing Technology (not to be confused with Chrysler’s gonzo SRT division), will lead the consortium developing the league’s racing technology. McLaren also is aboard, and easily the biggest name in the game. SRT has an order of 42 cars from Formula E Holdings (FEH), which secured the commercial rights to the championship.
Formula E, unlike many racing leagues using internal combustion, will send drivers on courses through metropolitan streets. That's easier to do when you've got zero emissions (yes, yes, at the tailpipe) — with no exhaust fumes or engine noise to speak off, residents won’t complain. Rio de Janiero has signed up to host a race, while a U.S. venue, tipped to be Miami or New York, is set to be announced next week.
Vasseur said, “The association with a globally recognized car manufacturer is definitely the right way to go.” The racing league is set to have 10 teams and 20 drivers at launch.
Vasseur set up the ART team, which competed in this year's GP2 and GP3 series as Lotus. He founded the team with Nicolas Todt, whose father Jean Todt is the president of FIA, motorsport's major governing body. Britain's Lewis Hamilton, who won the 2008 Formula One championship with McLaren, raced for ART in the Formula Three Euroseries.
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