Mercedes-EQ is delaying its commitment to the inbound Gen3 rules that will be introduced into Formula E in 2022 season as the team awaits “clarification” over the championship’s future structure.
It is important to mention the deadline passed on 31 March for manufacturers to confirm their long-term future in the series with the new regulations running between the 2022-23 and 2025-26 seasons.
Formula E will still accept signatures beyond this date, but entries submitted after the deadline are expected to receive later access to the FIA’s bank of data from Gen3 parts suppliers Spark Racing Technology, Williams Advanced Engineering and Hankook.
Mercedes-EQ is expected to sign up for the Gen3 regulations that will create 120kg lighter cars with the equivalent of 470bhp. Nevertheless, team has chosen to delay the formal agreement.
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A statement supplied to Autosport says: “Whilst recent discussions relating to key topics such as the implementation of a cost cap for Formula E have been largely positive, there are still important details regarding the structure of the series which are in clarification.
“For this reason, the decision has been taken to delay our registration to enable these points to be finalised.”
Mercedes is now planning a sizable restructure of its Formula E programme at the end of the current 2021 season that will consolidate the race team operations in Brackley, UK.
Should be noted that four manufacturers announced their long-term commitment to Formula E prior to the 31 March deadline, with Mahindra the first to pledge its ongoing participation. It was shortly followed by DS Automobile, partner to race team Techeetah, and Nissan then Porsche.
It is likely that Dragon Penske Autosport is ready to commit also, having agreed a multi-season technical partnership with Bosch, which itself will build a Gen3 powertrain.
Similarly, the NIO 333 concern has recently announced an alliance with the Gusto Group, Team executive director Alex Hui said: “For the next stage of the 333 Racing Formula E long term project I would like to bring the knowledge of electric racing back into the Chinese motorsport and automotive market.”
Written by | Gabriel Sayago
