Mercedes-Benz Announces Entry To Formula E Series In 2019; Will Quit DTM

Mercedes-Benz has announced plans to enter the FIA Formula E Championship for the 2019/20 season - extending the original option agreement to join the electric street racing series in Season 6. The German automaker, that is currently leading the F1 constructors' standings had signed the agreement to join Formula E last year and was originally expected to join the racing series during Season 5 (2018-19), but chose to extend its debut in order to understand more about the sport. In addition, Mercedes-Benz announced that it will bid adieu to DTM racing at the end of 2018.

Mercedes' announcement comes months after the company introduced its new electric sub-brand EQ that will have electric cars under its stable in the future. The Stuttgart based giant's move to Formula E was expected, to further its electric cause. Formula E will make for the right backing in terms of marketing for its products, more so if it can recreate its leadership from Formula 1.

The announcement also comes on the heels of Audi AG announcing its factory support to team ABT Schaeffer in Formula E, while Jaguar made a comeback to motorsport with its debut in the electric racing series this season. Other factory teams in Formula E include Renault e.Dams, which currently is leading the championship and our very own Mahindra Racing.

Renault and Mahindra are the other two factory teams in Formula E

Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: "In motorsport, like in every other area, we want to be the benchmark in the premium segment and also explore innovative new projects. With Formula 1 and Formula E, we have achieved exactly this balance. Formula E is like an exciting start-up venture - it offers a brand new format, combining racing with a strong event character, in order to promote current and future technologies. Electrification is happening in the road car world and Formula E offers manufacturers an interesting platform to bring this technology to a new audience - and to do so with a completely new kind of racing, different to any other series."

With respect to its departure from DTM, the automaker has been a core part of the series since 1988, when it was known as Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, and joined once again in 2000, when it was relaunched. With Mercedes moving out, only BMW and Audi will be the remaining German manufacturers in DTM.

Mercede-AMG will depart from DTM

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Formula E, said: "Today is a great day as we welcome Mercedes to the Formula E family - adding to the increasing number of manufacturers joining the electric revolution. This shows how much the world is changing, not only in motorsport, but the whole automotive industry. We're witnessing a transformation that will first change our cities, and then our roads. Formula E is the championship that embodies that change, and together with all our teams and manufacturers we'll keep pushing for technologies, to have better and more affordable electric cars."

FIA President Jean Todt added: "I'm very happy to see yet another committing to the FIA Formula E Championship. Mercedes-Benz has been competing in motorsport since the very beginning, and in joining this newest chapter of racing history - Formula E - it shows that the vision and concept of the championship is aligned with how manufacturers want to develop electric vehicle technologies, and bring these innovations to audiences around the world."

It's believed that Mercedes will partner with Venturi in Formula E. However, the automaker is yet to unfold any details on its plans for the sport. We do expect to hear an announcement in the following months.