Story highlights
Formula E announces partnership with ABB
Swiss technology giant will be title sponsor for all-electric racing series
Formula E CEO hints Felipe Massa could join series
The rush to be a part of the all-electric street racing series that’s “writing the future” goes on.
Just four years into its development, Formula E has announced a “groundbreaking” multi-year partnership with Swiss industrial technology giant ABB.
The annual motorsport series will be renamed the “ABB FIA Formula E Championship” – the first time an FIA-sanctioned single-seater championship has had a title sponsor.
As the third E-Prix of 2017/18 approaches in Marrakesh, Morocco, Formula E chief executive Alejandro Agag called it “an historic day” for the series he founded in 2014.
Formula E Latest Standings
“This is probably the biggest announcement that Formula E has made ever,” Agag told CNN Sport during an announcement at the Saatchi Gallery in London Tuesday.
“We share the same goals. ABB is a company that is focusing on new technologies that are going to transform mobility in the world, and that’s what we want to do.”
“Our two companies are synonymous with pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” he added in a statement.
“Together, as partners, we will showcase breakthrough technology on a global scale.”
READ: Daniel Abt stripped of maiden Formula E win
Ulrich Spiesshofer, chief executive of ABB, is excited at the possibility of shaping the future of transport.
“Today, two pioneers are uniting,” said Spiesshofer, telling CNN Sport his company are the “world market leader” for charging electric cars.
“ABB and Formula E are a natural fit at the forefront of the latest electrification and digital technologies.
“Together, we will write the next phase of this exciting sports activity and foster high-performance teams. Together, we will write the future – one electrifying race at a time.”
Electric future
Numerous manufacturing giants – including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche and Jaguar – have announced plans to participate in the series in recent years, showing electric racing’s increasing “relevance to the motor industry,” according to Agag.
ABB, which claims to annually dedicate $1.5 billion to fund “research and development activities,” gives Formula E further scope to grow.
