Formula E teams wary of potential ‘arms race’ as new manufacturers join sport
August 14, 2017
FIA Formula E Championship teams are wary of the threat of a potential “arms race” as new manufacturers continue to sign up for the electric street racing series.
Formula E currently has a stringent set or rules that limit technical advances, with a particular focus on car batteries and aerodynamics.
Mercedes and Porsche have signed up for Season Six (2019-20) and there are concerns that additional teams could lead to the FIA straying from their original technical road map.
Renault technical chief Vincent Gaillardot told Motorsport.com: “The bigger costs that could come in the future is definitely a concern.
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“We have to control the costs of any ‘arms race’ through the rules which are controlled by the FIA. We do not want to open [development of] the chassis, the aero, the battery.
“The championship is still young and we have to be careful we care for it as it is still a young child. We really have to take care and some of the new guys coming in have already stated they would like to see more freedoms.
“We have to be strong on these areas, otherwise it will hurt the rise of Formula E.”
Meanwhile, DS Virgin Racing Team Principal Alex Tai believes the future of Formula E is a bright one but is keen for the current technical road map to be adhered to.
“Formula E has probably got the brightest future because these are the cars we are going to be driving in the future, so the fact we have the interest of Mercedes and others that are coming in is just an endorsement to that fact,” Tai told Motorsport.com.
“It will drive more interest for all our partners to drive innovation harder. We relish the challenge. It is up to the stakeholders to battle against [an excessive rise in budgets].”