Venturi Racing will use Mercedes-Benz EQ powertrain for its sixth campaign in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship and will retain its line-up of ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa and Edoardo Mortara.
The new agreement between the two teams will see Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team supply its cooling system, rear frame, rear suspension, dampers, software, onboard electronics and wiring looms – as well as the new powertrain (inverter, motor, rear axle components and energy management software) to the Monegasque racing outfit.
The new technology has been designed and developed at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains unit in Northampton, UK, which also develops the championship-winning Mercedes hybrid powertrain used in its Formula One programme.
With Venturi bringing five seasons worth of experience in the all-electric racing series and Mercedes proven motorsport ability, the partnership is seen to be mutually beneficial for both teams. “We are proud to welcome Mercedes-Benz to the Venturi family as our powertrain partner for Season 6,” said Gildo Pastor, President, Venturi Automobiles.
“Pairing our experience in high-performing electric vehicles with the racing pedigree of Mercedes is a significant step towards strengthening our position in a racing formula that is becoming ever-more-competitive.
“We’re all excited about this new era for the team and I’m confident this will be the start of a great journey with our new colleagues in Stuttgart and Brixworth.”
Since the start of the fifth season of the series, which marked the debut of the new Gen2 cars, the foundations of Venturi’s relationship were founded with the appointment of Susie Wolff as Team Principal. Under her leadership, the team celebrated its first race win in Formula E after Edoardo Mortara clinched first in a fraught race on the Hong Kong Harbourfront.
“This development marks a significant step forward for the team and, with my longstanding relationship with Mercedes-Benz, I feel very confident that we will enjoy a strong working partnership with our new powertrain suppliers,” said Wolff.
“We made good progress in season 5 but our plans for season 6 are even more ambitious and we are doing everything within our power to make sure that we are as competitive as possible before we head to Saudi for the season opener.”
For Mercedes-Benz EQ, the team has transitioned ahead of the 2019/20 season to a full Mercedes-Benz works squad after a year of racing under the HWA Racelab flag. With one podium already to its name, the team will look to build on its learnings and challenge for the teams’ championship title in the most competitive season yet.
“We are taking the expertise we’ve built up over the last decade and applying it to the new challenge of Formula E,” said Andy Cowell, Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains.
“Working together with Venturi Racing, we will be able to increase our rate of learning in our debut season, and what’s more, with a well-established team, who have been part of the series since the very first year.
“The lessons learned and the technologies we are working on at the race track will also be incorporated into the development of road-going vehicles over time, so the entire Mercedes-Benz family will benefit as a result.”
Unchanged driver line up
While the technical areas of the team are set to change dramatically ahead of the season opener in Saudi Arabia on November 22, Venturi’s driver line up remains the same.
After his first full year in Formula E, Felipe Massa continues with the team alongside Edoardo Mortara. For Massa, a home podium in Monaco marked an emotional breakthrough in the series for the Brazilian, while a win for Mortara in Hong Kong added to his string of motorsport successes in Asia.
“Another great source of pride for the team lies in our driver lineup which remains unchanged for the coming season,” said Pastor.
“We look forward to building upon the skill, experience and speed of Felipe Massa and Edoardo Mortara – two incredibly talented and determined drivers.
“I can’t wait to see those five red lights go out in Diriyah this coming November, signalling the start of what I’m sure will be a successful collaboration between Venturi and Mercedes-Benz.”
