F-E Teams Pre-Season's Resumè

GEOX DRAGON announced the signing of Nico Müller, to drive the #7 Penske EV-4 in the sixth season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. 

This season will be Nico’s first competition in a single-seater series since he scored two wins in his 2013 Formula Renault 3.5 campaign. Nico has spent the past six years climbing to the top of the DTM, and currently is second in the 2019 Drivers’ Championship. 

Müller got his first taste of Formula E with two seasons as a Test and Reserve Driver. During this time, he demonstrated blistering pace, leading the Rookie Test at the Circuit Moulay El Hassan in Marrakech in Season 4 by nearly a second, while simultaneously setting the circuit record. In Season 5, Nico repeated the feat. 

Since coming on board, the Swiss driver has quickly integrated into the Team’s development program, working on the track and at the squad’s new Silverstone facility to continue refining the Season 6 package. Upon his joining the American Team, Nico said that “I have already met and started working with most of the Team. They are an extremely motivated group of racers. They have proven their ability to win races and challenge for podiums in Formula E. They have done it before, and we aim to do it in Season 6.” 

Müller added that “we have a big challenge ahead of us. We are an independent manufacturer, and the level of competition in Formula E is the highest in Motorsport, but I have a lot of confidence in the Team. We have a compact structure, and everyone has a full grasp on the project, so together we will be able to move quickly and optimize the PENSKE AUTOSPORT package.” 

On his rookie campaign, Nico commented that “I love street racing, and I am looking forward to lining up against the best guys out there. Formula E is particularly challenging, especially for a rookie, but I think we have an extremely exciting year ahead of us. We are looking forward to competing with these major OEMs, and I am pumped to be able to put pressure on the big teams right from the start in Riyadh.” 

Jay Penske, Owner of GEOX DRAGON and PENSKE AUTOSPORT, welcomed Nico to the Team, saying that “I am very excited to have Nico behind the wheel of the #7 Penske EV-4 this season. Nico is a fierce competitor, and with him, we have the pieces in place to compete with the major OEM’s in this landmark Formula E season. I look forward to very solid results in the upcoming season.”

Venturi Racing will deploy Mercedes-Benz EQ technology in Season 6. This new agreement will see the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team supply the cooling system, rear frame, rear suspension, dampers, software, onboard electronics and wiring looms – as well as the new powertrain (inverter, motor, rear axle components and energy management software), which has been designed and developed by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.

Venturi Racing’s test and race mileage with the new package will accelerate the learning process of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team in its debut season, capitalising on Venturi’s experience both as the first manufacturer to commit to Formula E in 2013 and as a leader in the electric mobility arena for almost two decades through the wider Venturi Automobiles family.  

Mahindra Racing already confirmed Jérôme D’Ambrosio and Pascal Wehrlein remain with the team for the 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E Championship. At a special event in Germany at which the race drivers were revealed alongside the M6Electro livery for season six, Mahindra Racing were also delighted to announce a new long-term technology partnership with ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
 
The global technology giant is supporting Mahindra Racing’s season six campaign with chassis development work, shock absorber provision and engineering services while work is already underway for the design and manufacture of the electric driveline for the 2020/21 season. In addition to the electric motor, development includes both single-gear, highly efficient transmission and the matching power electronics. This work builds on ZF’s successful and race-winning work to date in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship through its E-Mobility division, which already employs over 9,000 people worldwide since its inception in January 2016.
 
In line with the new partnership, the ZF branding will adorn the M6Electro cars from this season onwards. This season’s livery is an adaptation and evolution of the popular and distinctive M5Electro. It was unveiled this evening in Germany and retains the familiar red, white and blue hues that has ensured it stands out from the crowd.
 
Remaining with the team for a second consecutive season, Jérôme D’Ambrosio earned the team’s first podium of the 2018/19 season at the inaugural Diriyah E-Prix; the opening round of the championship. He then took his maiden win for the team at the next event in Marrakesh and was crowned a triple Formula E race-winner in only his second race for the team.
 
His teammate Pascal Wehrlein impressed in season five as the rookie secured a maiden Formula E podium in only his second race and took his first pole position at the next event in Mexico City. He added six Super Pole appearances and two fastest laps to his name throughout the 2018/19 campaign.
 
Nick Heidfeld will remain an integral part of the Mahindra Racing family and will continue in his advisory role and as the team’s official test and reserve driver. He drove the unraced M6Electro at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the competitive Hillclimb – two years after claiming the open-wheel eRecord in the M4Electro. Belgian racer Sam Dejonghe will also continue to work closely with the team in the position of reserve and sim driver.
 
Mahindra Racing will test the M6Electro at the all-teams pre-season test from 15-18 October at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain. The first race of the 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E Championship starts with a double-header at the Diriyah E-Prix on 22-23 November 2019.