Why Formula E Only Has Itself To Blame For Manufacturer Exits

Calum Gill 09:02 16/08/2021

With the news that Mercedes, who have just won both championships, are set to pull out of Formula E at the end of 2022, I feel that Formula E themselves have created the problems that have led to Mercedes joining BMW and Audi in leaving the championship.

As a result, Formula E - a championship that is relying on high-profile car manufacturers investing in their endeavours in the series - has already lost two of those names, and a third is set to follow. Especially with the Gen3 regulations coming in season-after-next. Formula E and the FIA need these types of factory teams to keep the championship in the limelight, given that electric cars are the future, and that these companies are going all electric with their future road cars.

The fact of the matter is that these manufacturers do not feel that Formula E is good advertising for their company. Yes the unpredictability can make it exciting at times, but does a Mercedes traipsing around at the tail end of the field look good on them. Of course not. So no wonder that they don't feel that Formula E is a viable strategy for market exposure for the electric side of the brand. In addition to this, you must feel that the board at Daimler must find it confusing when championship winner Nyck de Vries has results of 16th in Valencia 2, 13th and 18th in New York and 22nd in the first Berlin race, not to add a further four DNF's.

Some of the rules and regulations limit what innovations can be made, in a championship that revolves around themes of innovative technology around electric motorsport. The fact that powertrains are the only component that can be separately developed by the teams almost immediately stops all gains that can be made by smart thinking. Advances found in Formula 1 for example, such as Mercedes' DAS, McLaren's F-Duct from 2010 etc. cannot be made, putting a stop to the freedoms for development found in other world championship categories.

Another factor which may have resulted in these decisions is what the rules and regulations are, and how they are applied. For example, the group qualifying format almost seems to punish those towards the top of the championship, by almost inevitably forcing them to start down the order. World champion Nyck de Vries' average qualifying position this season was 14th, with only three appearances in superpole. On six occasions, he was within the last six cars on the grid. The idea for forcing championship contenders to work a bit harder to maintain their advantage is good, but in this system, the leaders are virtually punished for doing well. No wonder the respective boards may feel it is no longer good for the brand to be involved in the championship.

In addition to the above, the disqualification of Pascal Wehrlein from the first Puebla E-Prix will have certainly caught the eye of these boards, as he was penalised for doing nothing wrong. Penalties have been awarded to the outgoing manufacturers' teams for utterly ridiculous things, such as improper use of fanboost (something I believe needs to removed), and energy overuse - in circumstances where the extra energy has in no way shape or form benefitted the driver.

Formula E has all the hallmarks to be a meritocracy. This championship is about using the latest electric technology, and innovative engineering around the theme. Yes, it is good when you head into a race not knowing who will take the chequered flag first, but when the quickest cars are stuck at the tail end of the field due to being unable to pass, it certainly limits the extent to which these innovations can be applied to give the driver the best possible chance of a good result. Formula E should have regulations around car design, but it should be up to the teams to develop their chassis and aero.

Whether or not Formula E make the changes that may force these brands to reconsider their decision, we will have to see. But losing some of the leaders in the market of electric road cars will sure give a bad look on the championship.