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Mercedes set for Formula E debut in 2018

London - Mercedes have taken the option to be one of two new teams for the Formula E 2018/2019 season.

The German automaker is the latest manufacturer to join the sport, following announcements by BMW and Jaguar earlier this year. 

'Watching with great interest' 

Confirming their place for Formula E’s fifth season, the current Formula 1 Champions are eager to get involved in the growing sport.

Team boss Toto Wolff said they have been keeping a keen eye on the all electric series and added that electrification is important for the future of automotive industry. 

More: Formula E: Jaguar returns to racing with electric car

Wolff said: "We have been watching the growth of Formula E with great interest.

"At the current time, we are looking at all the options available in the future of motor racing, and we are very pleased with an agreement that secures us an opportunity to enter the series in Season 5." 

"Electrification will play a major role in the future of the automotive industry. Racing has always been a technology R&D platform for industry and this will make Formula E very relevant in the future."

Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E, said: “We are delighted to confirm that we have reserved one of our two new entries in season five for MGP. Formula E wants to become the platform where car manufacturers test and develop the technologies that they will then introduce on their road cars.

More: BMW will race in Formula E this season

Having the chance to include a brand like Mercedes in our championship in the future would be a major boost to achieve that objective. Formula E is becoming an exciting mix of consolidated manufacturers like Renault, Citroen-DS, Audi, Mahindra or Jaguar, and new futuristic brands like Faraday Future, NextEV, or the likes of major component manufacturers like Schaeffler and ZF. Mercedes would be a great addition to that growing line-up.” 


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