Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Breaking news

Andretti to test own Formula E tech next month

The Andretti Group of businesses is looking to broaden its activities to include more development and R&D work, particularly in Formula E, Motorsport.com has learned.

Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport

Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport

FIA Formula E

Jean-Eric Vergne and Scott Speed, Andretti Autosport
Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport
Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport
Jean-Eric Vergne
Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport
Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport
Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport
Jean-Eric Vergne, Andretti Autosport

Andretti has previously restricted and positioned themselves as a high-level race team rather than a full-on development organisation.

That is all set to change.

"Under the supply regulations you have to be prepared to offer the technology and it is best to do that without involving the race team," confirmed Andretti Formula E Team Principal, Roger Griffiths.

"It also allows the new company to do other things outside of Formula E too. We have developed a variety of aspects of the powertrain and we have done it independently and been able to find like-minded partners.

"The technology we will be able to bring is something different and I think the FIA are quite excited in the way we have done it.

"Andretti Formula E is an engineering driven operation and we are looking at technically sound solutions. There are some aspects which are reasonably conventional (on the season two package) and there are aspects that are quite unique. I think we have got the mix right," concluded Griffiths.

Elaborating on the season two technology that will see Andretti become self-sufficient in all aspects of the technology to be run in the Formula E operation, Griffiths told Motorsport.com: "We'll be running (on track) next month.

"All the design is done and the manufacturing is happening now. We've had aspects of it on the test bench and we are on schedule.

"Step one is the homologation/crash test and step two is a shakedown run and then the real development begins. We have a very methodical test plan going forward.

"We have talked to a number of manufacturers based in Japan, Europe and the US and we have relationships with major OEM's through existing programmes (IndyCar and Rallycross)," continued Griffiths, who held various senior positions at Honda Performance Development for over a decade.

"As of now, everything we have done is as an independent. However, should an OEM approach us about an opportunity then we of course will look at that because for the long-term stability and for the future of Formula E it would be good.

"I think there is a waiting game being played and there is a lot of evaluation going on."

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article A crucial round for Formula E in Germany
Next article Formula E: Kraft(y)werk in Berlin

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA