After a one-year break due to Audi’s withdrawal from the competition, ABT has stated it will return to Formula E next season.
The ABT Sportsline organisation will return to the ABB Formula E championship next year, following Audi’s withdrawal from the series last summer.
According to sources, ABT was planning to enter two cars next season, and the Formula E Holdings board formally accepted their entrance as the 12th grid licence during a meeting in Monaco last week.
Since its inception in 2014, the German team has competed in the all-electric series. Lucas di Grassi and the team won the series’ opening race in Beijing that year.
ABT entered the electric series with the support of Audi, which later acquired the team before departing at the end of the previous season. The team has now revealed that it has applied for the 12th team licence for the ninth running of the series, which will feature its new ‘Gen3’ cars.
ABT has reached an agreement with a power unit supplier, which it plans to reveal soon, although it has yet to decide who will race for the team.
This year, long-time driver Di Grassi switched to Venturi, while his 2021 teammate Rene Rast is no longer competing.
The team has “quite clear ideas” about who will drive for them, according to Abt CEO Thomas Biermaier. “Unlike last time, when we were a factory team, we’ll definitely [enter] as underdogs.”
“That’s why it’s all the more important that we have quick and clever drivers in the cockpit, who fit in well with us. The first talks are exciting and very positive, so I’m sure we’ll have our team together soon.”
Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle welcomed Abt back to the series: “In season nine we will introduce two game-changing developments designed to enhance the appeal of racing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.”
“First, we debut the Gen3 race car which will set the standard in performance, efficiency and sustainability. Second, we introduce new financial regulations to underpin competitive balance and financial sustainability for our teams.”
“Together, they create an environment for competitive racing and long-term growth. We look forward to seeing Abt embrace these opportunities as they return to Formula E in Gen3.”
