BMW involvement in Formula E confirmed

In an interview with Motorsport.com, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt confirmed that the German automaker is in the works with an existing Formula E team. This confirms BMW’s plans to secure an involvement in this particular race.

Though Marquardt did not actually give the name of the Formula E team, there are rumors that he may be referring to an American squad named Andretti Formula E. The squad has confirmed adding Robin Frijns to their team of drivers. Rumor has it that they will also be announcing BMW factory driver Antonio Felix da Costa as a another member of the team.

“We are working closely on the engineering side with one of the teams [in Formula E],” Marquardt told Motorsport.com. “So, we have a good insight, but we have always made it clear there are a few things that have to really strengthen and develop. I think it is going in the right direction.”

BMW has reached a point of confidence in their i-brand and electric vision. Having an involvement with the Formula E race will definitely be a good marketing strategy for the automaker.

Marquardt also repeated that BMW is waiting for Formula E to mature to one-car-per-driver series. This may finally happen in season five of the series.

“For sure, the change of car that is still in place is, from our point of view, with regards to the range of electric vehicles is not ideal,” he admitted. “But there is a path to season five to get this into a better solution and we keep monitoring the situation. There is huge potential on the marketing side, but there is also a lot of work that needs to be done to lift that potential, to bring the series forward and make it more attractive for people to be involved.”

Currently, BMW is supplying the i8 and i3 Safety Cars for Formula E races.