The number of brands that are putting an end to their official involvement in Formula E continues to grow and after Audi said it will leave that competition at the end of the 2021 season it was BMW's turn to exit Formula E.
The exit from this competition will take place at the end of the 2021 season (at the same time that Audi will leave) and marks the end of BMW's involvement in Formula E, an involvement that has lasted for seven years and since the fifth season ( the 2018/2019) of this competition even included a factory team in the form of BMW i Andretti Motorsport.
Speaking of which, since its debut in the 2018/2019 season, BMW i Andretti Motorsport has achieved four victories, four pole positions and nine podiums in a total of 24 races played.
Although BMW claims that its involvement in Formula E has enabled a successful technology transfer between the world of competition and production models in areas such as energy management, or improvements in the power density of electric motors, the Bavarian brand claims that the possibilities for transferring knowledge and technological advances between Formula E and production models have run out.
What's next?
With the departure of BMW from Formula E, there is a question that quickly arises: in which area of motorsport will the Bavarian brand bet. The answer is very simple and may even disappoint some motorsport fans: none.
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Unlike Audi, which now plans to bet not only on the Dakar but also on a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, BMW does not intend to bet on another area of motor sport, saying: “the BMW Group's strategic focus is changing within the field of electric mobility”.
Aiming to have one million electrified vehicles on the road by the end of 2021 and to see that number increase to seven million in 2030 of which 2/3 will be 100% electric, BMW wants to focus on its offer of road models and their respective production.
Despite preparing to abandon Formula E, as expected, BMW reaffirmed that in its last season in the competition it will do everything in its power to ensure good sporting results with the BMW iFE.21 single-seater driven by the German Maximilian Günther and by British Jake Dennis.