McLaren has signed up to supply electric motors, transmissions, control units and electronics for the FIA's new Formula E series which begins in 2014.
Accordingly, the British carmaker will work alongside Spark Racing Technology, which is responsible for the assembly of the electric cars participating in the new championship. Spark Racing Technology is a newly formed company led by Frederic Vasseur who is also the head of the Lotus GP2 team.
"I am proud and happy to give birth to this project that is innovative and extremely rewarding for a company both technically and philosophically," Vasseur said. "Personally, I can write a new chapter, regardless of my other ventures in motorsport. Confidence and commitment from our partner McLaren is a guarantee of quality and reliability without which this project would not have been possible. The association with a globally recognized car manufacturer is definitely the right way to go. Sport and society are evolving and Spark Racing Technology is proud to be the pioneer and leader in the new field of electric cars that will revolutionize the motor racing industry and attitude."
The Formula E initiative came out of a request in 2011 from the European Commission to FIA president Jean Todt to set up an international EV series which would have sufficient promotional assets and backing to put EV racing on the map and to engage motorsport engineers in order advance the development of technologies, which will help with road cars.
