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Can the Formula E Privateer Teams Survive the OEM Infusion?

By Alex Herbst

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 16: Sam Bird (GBR), DS Virgin Racing, Spark-Citroen, Virgin DSV-02, and Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Mahindra Racing, Spark-Mahindra, Mahindra M3ELECTRO, lead at the start of the race during the New York City ePrix, tenth round of the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Series on July 16, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 16: Sam Bird (GBR), DS Virgin Racing, Spark-Citroen, Virgin DSV-02, and Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Mahindra Racing, Spark-Mahindra, Mahindra M3ELECTRO, lead at the start of the race during the New York City ePrix, tenth round of the 2016/17 FIA Formula E Series on July 16, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images) /
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Formula E is set for a major manufacturer infusion in the next two seasons. But can the privateer teams survive into the future of electric racing?

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Formula E was built on the backs of ten founding teams, many with little to no manufacturer support through the first season. But in the subsequent years, teams have picked up support from many well-known OEMs, with that involvement set to grow heading into the 2017-18 season. With names like Audi, Renault, BMW and Mercedes set to take over as the leaders of Formula E, can privateer teams survive the infusion?

Already teams that have been privately run for their entire existence in electric racing will be transitioning into works operations in season four. Recently BMW announced their takeover of the Andretti Autosport operation as a full works team. They will join Renault, who takes over e.dams, and Audi, through their ABT Schaeffler team, who will have full factory support. Many of these manufacturers already were involved in the sport, with BMW supplying the pace car and Renault supplying the powertrains for all squads in the first season.

Other OEMs have already thrown their support behind select privateer teams, despite not taking over the teams as full works outfits. NextEV bought into Team China Racing shortly after the team debuted, while fellow electric-only manufacturer Faraday Future is a co-partner now in Dragon Racing. Finally, Peugeot joined Formula E through their DS luxury brand with Virgin Racing. This leaves just Venturi and Techeetah as the only teams without OEMs to partner with.

The future of Formula E is clearly tied to the growth of electric cars on the streets. Mercedes is interested and may join the series by season five with their electric car division expanding as well. They also joined a list of manufacturers interested in joining the all-electric series in the near future. From luxury brands like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo to more economical options like Honda and Toyota, there could be a real boom in FE interest in the coming decade.

But what does this mean for the last two privateers? Partnering with an existing OEM or a new one seeking to enter the sport could be the best way to secure their future. While Techeetah has proven they can be contenders still without that support, Venturi has seen their stock in the series slide as other teams like Mahindra and DS Virgin leap ahead of them.

Next: Top Five Manufacturers Looking to Join Formula E

Do you think Venturi and Techeetah will survive into Formula E’s future? What manufacturers could partner with these teams to secure their ability to be contenders? Be sure to tune in for the finale of season three for the Formula E electric world championship, a doubleheader from Montreal, Canada. Coverage can be seen this weekend on FS2.

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