Spanish businessman Alejandro Agag, who is the Formula E CEO, admitted that he is not ruling out a “long term” merger with Formula One. Despite the fact that it was once dismissed as slow and quiet and obviously eclipsed by Formula 1, Formula E has been gaining in popularity and now boasts high level drivers and top car manufacturers.
And series driver Lucas di Grassi, a former F1 driver, thinks electric power is clearly the future of motor racing: “Internal combustion engines will soon be frowned upon, like cigarette advertising,” he told Sport Bild.
If that happens, F1 will be in genuine difficulty, as Formula E has exclusive rights to all-electric racing cars until 2039. Series boss Agag confirms: “This includes hydrogen and all other forms of electric motors.”
Jean-Eric Vergne, the Formula E champion and another ex F1 driver, thinks a merger could be on the cards: “We all love formula one, it’s great,” he said. “But I think Formula E will be the only form of motor sport in 20, 30 or 40 years. So it would be great if both series merged.” – he explained.
Formula E chief Alejandro Agag, however, confirmed that this possibility is not around the corner: “A merger with Formula One will only be an issue in the long term. Not yet,” – he concluded.
Leave a Reply