DS Automobiles, which has been active in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship since the series opened to manufacturers, will run its new car in association with Techeetah from 2018/2019.
This agreement brings the brand’s current partnership with Virgin Racing to an end. The new team will be presented on 1 October, ahead of the start of season five in Riyad, Saudi Arabia, on December 15.
From 2018/2019, the duration of Formula E races will be 45 minutes plus one lap, with no mid-race car swaps. Next season’s single-seaters feature significantly revised styling and aerodynamics and will be powered by new, manufacturer-developed 250kW electric motors, while energy management will continue to be a fundamental part of the championship.
Director of DS Performance, Xavier Mestelan Pinon, said, “We would like to thank Virgin Racing for the three wonderful seasons we spent together. Our involvement in Formula E is an integral part of DS Automobiles’ commitment to the electrification of its model line-up.
“The DS E-Tense FE 19’s development began several months ago with the objective of being in a position to challenge for the top step of the podium from the opening race of the 2018/2019 campaign.
“Our association with Techeetah, who recently celebrated winning the 2017/2018 Drivers’ Title in addition to coming second in the Teams’ standings, is geared toward this target.”
“DS has extensive experience in Formula E having been a championship manufacturer since season two and finishing within the top three each season,” added Edmund Chu, president of the Techeetah Formula E Team.
“We’ve had some brilliant battles on track this season with DS and we can’t wait to combine the wealth of experience and expertise of arguably two of the best teams in the paddock, as Techeetah becomes a manufacturer team for the first time.”
