Porsche will begin competing in Formula E racing events beginning in 2019, and is ceasing to compete in the LMP1 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the end of the 2017 season, according to a new press release from the iconic German brand.
These decisions are part of the company’s general move to refocus on pure GT vehicles and fully electric sports cars — also known as “Porsche Strategy 2025.” The company’s plans relating to the all-electric Mission E are part of Porsche Strategy 2025 as well, of course.
“Entering Formula E and achieving success in this category are the logical outcomes of our Mission E. The growing freedom for in-house technology developments makes Formula E attractive to us,” commented Michael Steiner, Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche AG. “Porsche is working with alternative, innovative drive concepts. For us, Formula E is the ultimate competitive environment for driving forward the development of high-performance vehicles in areas such as environmental friendliness, efficiency and sustainability.”
One of the primary figures behind the return of Porsche to top-level motorsport in 2014, Fritz Enzinger, commented as well: “Building up the Le Mans team from scratch was a huge challenge. Over the years, we have developed an incredibly successful and professional team. This will be our basis going forward. I am certain that we will maintain our high level in Formula E. Confidence is high, and we are excited to get started.”
Porsche reportedly began developing its first Formula E racing car earlier this year, which should give it a nice amount of time to develop something highly competitive by the time it begins taking part in Formula E racing events (in 2019).
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