15.5.2019. Today, exactly five years ago, began for Audi sporting Schaeffler ABT the adventure and the success story of formula E In Donington, the Team was christened on 15. In may 2014, the first Chassis for use in the all-electric racing series. The balance sheet so far: In 54 races, the German team won 39 trophies, took of 1,027 points and is, therefore, up to now, the most successful Team in the international field.
A short ceremony with formula E founder Alejandro Agag, a press conference with the ten team bosses, and in the late afternoon, the group photo was launched in front of the former headquarters at the race track in Donington: With the Delivery of the first Chassis to the team five years ago, the Era of electric Motorsport. Since then, with Audi Sport ABT, Schaeffler. In the first three seasons as a private team, since season four as the Audi factory team.
“This day is the official start shot what. From a theoretical project that we had planned for many months at home on paper, become a reality,“ says Thomas Biermaier. The sports Director of ABT Sportsline headed at the time, together with team boss Hans-Jürgen Abt, the fortunes of the German team. “For all of us, it feels a bit like the first day of school is: Everything was new and a bit uncertain, but the anticipation was great.”
The first Chassis, the 15. In may 2014, the Audi sporting Schaeffler was passed, wore the number 20 ABT. And an eventful history: With Chassis 20 crossed Lucas di Grassi on June 13. September 2014 as the winner of the first formula E race ever to the finish line in Beijing. The Chassis 20 so had to endure the pain: 9. October 2016 distressed di Grassi in a Crash in Hong Kong, the entire left side, even after a cable fire in 2015, in Punta del Este had to be repaired. His last victory Chassis 20 which is celebrated on February 14. July 2018 in New York, and was handed over after the season, as a Museum piece to Alejandro Agag.
“Formula E has developed in its first years – both with an exciting sporting competition, as well as with many innovations off the track,” says Audi Motorsport boss Dieter Gass. Audi came in 2014 is the first German car manufacturer at the factory in the series. “Now that so many brands are involved, and even more soon to come, is a wonderful acknowledgement of the pioneering spirit of formula E and its founding members.”
For Audi Sport ABT, Schaeffler the delivery of the first of a total of four cars in the first four years of the formula E, there were two vehicles per driver, and an auto-exchange to the Middle of the race is also the beginning of an intense period of work. “We have disassembled the first vehicle immediately to determine exactly what equipment and what tools we need for use – before, we knew the car only from drawings,” says Thomas Biermaier. Three months his team moved to Donington, where up to the test drives and to take care of the start of the season to prepare the cars.
In the 54 far staged the race, Audi Sport took Schaeffler with 39 cups, as many as no other Team has broken through as the first team of 1,027 meters, is the mark of 1,000 points DEPT. In the third season (2016/2017), it was Lucas di Grassi, after a third and a second place in the previous seasons, for the first Time formula E Champion. In the fourth season (2017/2018) celebrated the Audi sporting Schaeffler ABT the title in the team standings.
With eight different winners in nine races, the title fight in the current season is as open as never before. The tenth run, and the 55. Race of formula E history on 25. May in Berlin is discharged.
Daniel Abt, Lucas di Grassi (2014)
(Photo: AUDI AG)
