The Formula E series is a relative newcomer to the motorsport world, but it’s quickly gaining traction. Numerous automakers have announced their intentions to run factory-backed teams, while a handful of independent teams have earned serious interest.
But General Motors has remained silent on future Formula E prospects despite its major electrification push. Meanwhile, crosstown rival Ford may potentially enter the series as early as this season, according to Ford Authority. We think it’s a no-brainer for GM to get involved in Formula E.
And the automaker has two brands that would make excellent candidates: Chevrolet and Cadillac. Both have a long history in motorsport and both brands will certainly be at the helm of GM’s electrification strategy. The automaker plans for 20 new electric vehicles by 2023 and Cadillac will get a large portion of said vehicles.
What better way to show that GM is all in on electrification than by showing up at a motorsport dedicated to electric cars?
The fact GM hasn’t jumped in yet may be due to a handful of factors. Foremost, the series only allows for 12 teams total, and every slot is filled. Porsche and Mercedes-Benz filled the 11th and 12th slots last year with their factory-team announcements. But, Dragon Racing and Virgin Racing, two independent teams, still have room for automaker partnerships. This is the route Ford would have to take if it’s serious about Formula E. However, GM may not be interested.
GM also already runs numerous motorsport programs with Chevrolet and Cadillac, though Cadillac did end its Pirelli World Challenge campaign last year.
We think it’d be excellent to see Chevrolet or Cadillac duke it out with other automakers in Formula E, but only time will tell if the all-electric motorsport has GM’s attention.
Comments
Definitely Yes. F’ Shizzle.
Eh!
The Series has had mixed reviews by many cities.
The MFG love the series but so far many events over the years have canceled and moved on as they are very expensive to bring in to race. The Series is working hard to add more cities as they are losing money.
Over the years many races were canceled but often the reasons were listed as unforeseen like in Moscow and one in Sa Palo where the city sold the venue. In Montreal they gave them a boot for corruption and cost over runs.
I expect at some point the series as it is will either fail or be taken over by some other body that may fix the issues. Also I would love to see them leave the city tracks for natural road race tracks and open the doors to let the teams be more creative with the cars.
I would say GM will need to get involved but I also would rather the series get their act together before they do.
I would rather them for now take the money they would spend and out it into better EV products for the road.
At this point all racing is hurting even the top shelf series. Not sure putting the money here right now will pay off in much in additional sales.
Other factors like how many cities are in the markets GM is in? Europe is out.
As for the 12 teams rules can be changed as if they are in need of money they will not turn large MFGs away.
“The Series has had mixed reviews by many cities.”
That’s why it is so awesome; cities actually are giving it a chance. F1 is too loud.
Besides, the FE cars will be running circles around the F1 cars in less than a decade. F1 will have to go for top speeds on ovals and then succumb to being a crappier, corrupt Indycar.
Only if the full funding comes from the e-car division of GM. No ICE made funding (subsidies) for e-cars!
On the other hand, people say that racing tech cascades down to road tech cars (eg. aero packages, anti-lock brakes, regenerative braking and so on); so it follows that if the future of GM is e-cars, it fully makes sense to invest in race-tech capable e-cars and write that cost off as “R&D” for future road e-cars!
I’ll go with your idea. Let’s make E-racing not parasite off of ICE.
Just to be fair, let’s make ICE cars not parasite off state TAXPAYERS money, shall we? No more of my (or your) tax bucks going to pay Merc in Alabama, Toyota in Texas, Nissan in Tennessee, BMW in South Carolina, and GM/Ford/FCA can get by purely on their own profits.
I agree.
It would be with Cadillac, and using a dallara chassis, went they decide too go. Also all these spot’s are filled up, FE allows only 12 team’s.
That would be a HUGE “You bet ‘cha, there, rubber ducky!” There ain’t any place that cannot be improved by a bow tie.
The greatest btl website comment OF ALL TIME!
Agreed. Any race series is better with the Bowtie, Prancing Horse and Three-pointed Star racing alongside each other. 🙂
I don’t care ! that type of racing is not my cup of tea !!
What is your type of racing? Ovals or Rally?
Absolutely! … and I hate that misused word. It is the future of racing.