McLaren Racing have confirmed they will acquire the Mercedes EQ Formula E team and rebrand as their own entry to the series next year.
Mercedes announced last year that they would leave Formula E at the end of 2022, prior to the introduction of the new ‘Gen3’ car for the electric championship’s ninth season.
McLaren Racing had previously expressed an interest in joining the series when the third-generation car is introduced. They confirmed today they will do so by purchasing Mercedes EQ, the current Formula E teams champions.
The McLaren Group had previously been involved with the series through their McLaren Applied division having supplied the original ECUs for the championship and been exclusive battery supplier up to the end of this current season. McLaren Applied was sold by McLaren Group in 2021.
Upon completion of their takeover of Mercedes EQ, McLaren say that current team principal Ian James will remain in his role to enable a “smooth transition” into its new identity as McLaren.
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said acquiring Mercedes EQ will provide their wider racing programmes a “competitive advantage” by expanding their knowledge of electric vehicle technology.
“McLaren Racing always seeks to compete against the best and on the leading edge of technology, providing our fans, partners and people with new ways to be excited, entertained and inspired,” said Brown. “Formula E, like all our racing series, fulfils all those criteria.
“It is also satisfying to provide a home for the class-leading Formula E team that Mercedes has built, which will become a fully-fledged part of the McLaren Racing family. While run separately to our F1 and IndyCar teams, Formula E complements and builds out our EV racing programme alongside Extreme E.”
The latest expansion of McLaren’s racing activities means they will be present in Formula 1, IndyCar, Extreme E and Formula E from 2022.
Mercedes EQ team principal Ian James said it would be a “privilege” for…