The teams competing in the
inaugural FIA Formula E Championship have announced that they have recently
formed the Formula E Teams’ Association, which will operate from London, UK. Dilbagh
Gill of Mahindra Racing team will be heading the Technical Working Group of
this association.
According to a press release,
the association will provide a forum to respond to Formula E Holdings and the
FIA on issues impacting the teams. The association’s goals are to ensure the championship
remains competitive and compelling entertainment whilst maintaining cost
control and the commercial sustainability of the series. The association also aims
to suggest a development roadmap for the coming seasons which will drive technical
innovation and attract the participation of the major car manufacturers, whilst
at all times will seek to maintain, engage and increase the championship’s fan base.
The Chairman of the Formula E
Teams’ Association will be Virgin Racing’s Alex Tai, whilst Jean-Paul Driot of
e.dams-Renault and Thomas Biermaier of Audi Sport ABT have been elected by the
teams as Vice-Chairmen. Oliver Weingarten, formerly of FOTA and the Premier
League has been appointed
as the interim General
Secretary, to provide requisite support to the teams (via OW Advisory Limited).
Chairman – Alex Tai of Virgin
Racing said in a statement that “I am delighted that we have set up the Teams’
Association as it is creates a vital forum for stakeholder discussions. It is
in everybody’s interest that Formula E is a success, and the teams want to play
their part to ensure this. We are delighted to have brought Oliver on board; he
brings with him a wealth of experience from
Formula One and The English
Premier League and will be a great asset. The teams are under no illusion that
there will be issues that need to be addressed, but now we will be able to work
through these challenges together, and with one voice, for the benefit of the
championship.” Alberto Longo, Managing Director and Deputy CEO of Formula E
Holdings Limited said: “The birth of the Formula E Teams’ Association is
positive news for the development of Formula E. We have always worked closely
with the ten teams, who share our goals to make the championship attractive and
continuously grow, while maintaining its characteristic of development for
technological solutions. The presence of the association will help the teams to
cooperate with all the stakeholders on cost control; a crucial element for the
sustainability of the sport.”