Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team explained

Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team
Founded:2018
Folded:2022
Base:Brixworth, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Brackley, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
Principal:Ian James
Drivers: Stoffel Vandoorne
Nyck de Vries
Former Series:Formula E
Races:42
Wins:7
Podiums:22
Poles:6
Fastest Laps:5
Points:647
First Entry:2019 Diriyah ePrix
Last Entry:2022 Seoul ePrix
First Win:2020 Berlin ePrix (R6)
Last Win:2022 Berlin ePrix (R2)
Driver Titles:FIA Formula E


2020–21

Nyck de Vries
2021–22: Stoffel Vandoorne

Team Titles:FIA Formula E


2020–21
2021–22

Next Name:NEOM McLaren Formula E Team

The Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team was a German racing team that competed in Formula E. The team made its debut at the 2019 Diriyah ePrix as part of the 2019–20 season.[1] Mercedes concluded their involvement at the end of the 2021–22 Formula E World Championship,[2] with the team being taken over by McLaren and returning under new ownership from the 2022–23 season.[3]

History

On 24 July 2017, Mercedes announced that it would enter the FIA Formula E Championship in the 2019–20 season, and that it would leave the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) at the end of the 2018 season. Mercedes also announced that its new venture would be backed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula One team.[4]

2018–19 season

Mercedes unofficially entered Formula E a season ahead of their debut through their affiliation with HWA. On 9 May 2018, HWA confirmed that it will enter the 2018–19 season as a customer team, using powertrains from Venturi, who HWA had already been in partnership with regarding technical support.[5] On 8 October 2018, the HWA Racelab team has been officially launched, revealing the car along with Gary Paffett as its first driver.[6] Stoffel Vandoorne was later confirmed as Paffett's teammate, moving straight to Formula E from his McLaren F1 drive that was coming to a close.[7]

HWA had a very complicated start to the season, not scoring any points in its first four races. In the season's fifth race in Hong Kong, HWA surprised with their pace in wet conditions during the weekend, with Vandoorne even qualifying on pole, giving HWA its first three points in the championship. Paffett qualified fourth.[8] Vandoorne then retired from the race after a driveshaft failure, while Paffett finished eighth, which was HWA's first points finish. HWA then scored another points and first podium in Rome, where Vandoorne finished third. The car broke down immediately after the race due to another driveshaft failure.[9] Venturi's reliability improved in the second half of the season, giving HWA a better chance at good results. Vandoorne was a regular points scorer, but the car wasn't quick enough in races to compete for podiums.

HWA finished ninth in the Teams' Championship and scored 44 points in their one-off season (35 with Vandoorne, 9 with Paffett).

2019–20 season

Mercedes' official debut, under the name of Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team, took place in November 2019 at the Diriyah ePrix, which is a double-header event. In a form of continuity, the team will utilize the groundwork laid by HWA, rather than completely reworking the team structure.[10] In addition to the established pairing of Paffett and Vandoorne,[11] the team has also used Edoardo Mortara,[12] Esteban Gutiérrez[13] and Nyck de Vries in pre-season testing.[14]

Mercedes' first contender, dubbed the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01, was unveiled in March 2019. It featured a 'teaser' black livery, resembling the HWA car already in competition. The car went on to appear at various events, in promotion of Mercedes' Formula E entry, including the 89th Geneva International Motor Show.[15] In September 2019, the team announced it had signed Danish wind power company Vestas as a principal partner.[16] On 11 September, Mercedes revealed the definitive look of their car (now incorporating metallic silver), along with their new team principal and drivers. Stoffel Vandoorne will continue with team, becoming their 1st driver, but he will be partnering with the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Champion Nyck de Vries. The team will be managed by Ian James.[17] In October, it was announced that the team will supply its new powertrain to Venturi Racing, reversing the manufacturer-customer relationship in the favor of Mercedes.[18]

In pre-season testing, which was held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Mercedes were the second slowest team in overall classification, only outpacing NIO 333.[19] Vandoorne, however, won one of the two simulation races that were held during the week.[20] Felipe Massa from Venturi was the fastest Mercedes-powered driver of the week, finishing twelfth in the overall classification.[19] On 15 November, the team confirmed Gutiérrez to join Paffett as a second reserve and development driver.[21]

In July 2020, prior the season resuming after the COVID-19 pandemic, Mercedes brought back and updated the pre-season black livery to unify it with the design used on the F1 W11 EQ Performance car.[22] The drivers also wore black racing overalls.

The team completed the 2019–20 season with their maiden victory in the final race at Berlin with a one-two finish (Vandoorne won the race and De Vries got his first podium in second).[23] Vandoorne finished the season ranking second in the Drivers' Championship, while Mercedes finished third in the Teams' Championship.[24]

2020–21 season

On 29 October 2020, Mercedes revealed the new Silver Arrow 02 car, which returned to the traditional silver livery. Vandoorne and de Vries were confirmed as the driver lineup on the same occasion.[25] The development testing was handled in conjunction with Venturi Racing, who enter their second year as a Mercedes customer team.[26] In 2021, the team underwent a slight rebrand, now going by the name Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team.[27] At the 2021 Diriyah ePrix, De Vries took his first Formula E win and the second win for Mercedes. Three races later, at the 2021 Rome ePrix, Stoffel Vandoorne took his second Formula E victory. On 15 August, it was reported that Mercedes would quit the championship after the 2021–22 season.[28]

2021–22 season

For their final season in Formula E, Mercedes-EQ retained Vandoorne and De Vries as their drivers. They would win the opening ePrix in Diriyah, with De Vries 1st and Vandoorne 2nd.[29] Vandoorne would go on to win the Monaco ePrix.[30] In Berlin, De Vries won race 2 whilst Vandoorne collected 3rd place in both races.[31] [32]

After securing consistent points throughout the remaining rounds, and suffering no retirements during the entire season, Stoffel Vandoorne would win the 2021-22 Formula E World Championship, finishing 33 points ahead of Mitch Evans' Jaguar.[33] Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team were also crowned 2021-22 Teams Champion.[34]

Sponsors

Sponsor2019–202020–212021–22
Vestas
SAP SE[35]
ON Semiconductor[36]
Neom[37]
Modis[38]
TeamViewer[39]
Kroll

Results

2018–19

HWA Racelab

YearChassisPowertrainTyresNo.Drivers12345678910111213141516Points
Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team
2019–20Spark SRT05eMercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01DIRSCLMEXMRKBERBERBER1473rd
53 3 6NC1565Ret1291
17 Nyck de Vries6165Ret114Ret184142
Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team
2020–21Spark SRT05eMercedes-EQ Silver Arrow 02DIRRMEVLCMCOPUENYCLDNBERBER1811st
5 Stoffel Vandoorne813Ret13 RetRet713Ret12715123
17 Nyck de Vries19RetRet116Ret9Ret131822228
2021–22Spark SRT05eMercedes-EQ Silver Arrow 02DIRMEXRMEMCOBERJAKMRKNYCLONSEO3191st
5 Stoffel Vandoorne27113513358422452
17 Nyck de Vries1106Ret1410101Ret68763RetRet
2022–23

NEOM McLaren Formula E Team

Notes

Other teams supplied by Mercedes

YearTeamChassisPowertrainTyresNo.DriversPointsSource
2019–20 ROKiT Venturi RacingSpark SRT05eMercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 014410th
19 Felipe Massa
48 Edoardo Mortara
2020–21 ROKiT Venturi RacingSpark SRT05eMercedes-EQ Silver Arrow 0248 Edoardo Mortara1467th
71 Norman Nato
2021–22 ROKiT Venturi RacingSpark SRT05eMercedes-EQ Silver Arrow 0211 Lucas di Grassi2952nd
48 Edoardo Mortara

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mercedes-Benz to enter Formula E in Season 6. FIA Formula E. en. 15 February 2019. 7 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190507064548/https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2017/july/mercedes-benz-to-enter-formula-e-in-season-6/. live.
  2. Web site: Kew . Matt . 18 August 2021 . Mercedes to officially leave Formula E after 2022 . 9 May 2022 . www.motorsport.com . en . 24 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124180157/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/mercedes-official-exit-2022-announced-gen3/6649755/ . live .
  3. Web site: Brown . Zak . 14 May 2022 . McLAREN RACING TO COMPETE IN FORMULA E FROM SEASON NINE . 14 May 2022 . www.mclaren.com . en . 14 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220514063625/https://www.mclaren.com/racing/team/mclaren-racing-compete-formula-e-season-nine/ . live .
  4. Web site: Mercedes F1 team to support Mercedes EQ Formula E assaut. 18 May 2018. jamesallenonf1.com/. en. 15 February 2019. 16 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190216153120/https://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2018/05/mercedes-f1-team-to-support-mercedes-eq-formula-e-assault/. live.
  5. Web site: HWA Confirms Season Five Entry as Venturi Customer. Kilshaw. Jake. e-racing365. 9 May 2018. 7 September 2019.
  6. Web site: HWA Racelab Launched; Paffett to Drive. Kilshaw. Jake. e-racing365. 8 October 2018. 7 September 2019.
  7. Web site: Vandoorne Confirmed at HWA Racelab. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 15 October 2018. 7 September 2019. 1 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190401192602/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/vandoorne-confirmed-at-hwa-racelab/. live.
  8. Web site: Vandoorne Claims First Formula E Pole in Hong Kong. Lloyd. Daniel. e-racing365. 9 March 2019. 7 September 2019. 30 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190330115657/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/vandoorne-claims-first-formula-e-pole-in-hong-kong/. live.
  9. Web site: Vandoorne Had to Nurse 'Driveshaft Issue' to Claim First Podium. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 15 April 2019. 7 September 2019. 17 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190417165307/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/vandoorne-had-to-nurse-driveshaft-issue-to-claim-first-podium/. live.
  10. Web site: Staff Continuity Likely for Mercedes EQ. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 12 March 2019. 7 September 2019. 21 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190321164820/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/staff-continuity-likely-for-mercedes-eq/. live.
  11. Web site: Mercedes Completes Two-Day Varano Test. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 26 June 2019. 7 September 2019. 28 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190628010955/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/mercedes-completes-two-day-varano-test/. live.
  12. Web site: Mercedes-Benz EQ Completes First Test. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 3 April 2019. 7 September 2019. 19 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191219031432/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/mercedes-benz-eq-completes-first-test/. live.
  13. Web site: Mercedes EQ to Test Esteban Gutierrez. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 30 July 2019. 7 September 2019. 2 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190802152821/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/mercedes-eq-to-test-esteban-gutierrez/. live.
  14. Web site: De Vries Tests for Mercedes EQ. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 14 August 2019. 7 September 2019. 30 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190830144611/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/de-vries-tests-for-mercedes-eq/. live.
  15. Web site: Mercedes-Benz Debuts Its First EQ Silver Arrow 01 Formula-E Racecar. Scarano. Genevieve. Geek.com. 3 March 2019. 8 September 2019. 5 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190305041157/https://www.geek.com/news/mercedes-benz-debuts-its-first-eq-silver-arrow-01-formula-e-racecar-1777023/. live.
  16. Vestas to be Principal Partner of the Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team. 9 September 2019. 9 September 2019. 20 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200320015732/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/09/09/1912500/0/en/Vestas-to-be-Principal-Partner-of-the-Mercedes-Benz-EQ-Formula-E-Team.html. live.
  17. News: Kalinauckas. Alex. Mercedes signs Vandoorne, de Vries for debut FE season. 11 September 2019. 11 September 2019. motorsport.com. 12 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190912200805/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/mercedes-debut-vandoorne-de-vries/4539057/. live.
  18. Web site: Venturi Switches to Customer Status With Mercedes. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 3 October 2019. 3 October 2019. 3 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191003211102/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/venturi-switches-to-customer-status-with-mercedes/. live.
  19. Web site: Valencia Testing - Overall Classification. FIA Formula E. 18 October 2019. 2 November 2019. 18 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191018154325/http://fiaformulae.alkamelsystems.com/Results/05_2019-20/00_Valencia%20Testing/ABB%20FIA%20Formula%20E%20Championship/201910181700_Overall/90_Classification_Overall.PDF. live.
  20. Web site: Vandoorne First in Trial Race; Frijns Sets Fastest Lap. Smith. Sam. e-racing365. 16 October 2019. 2 November 2019. 16 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191016155359/https://e-racing365.com/formula-e/vandoorne-first-in-trial-race-frijns-sets-fastest-lap/. live.
  21. News: Kalinauckas. Alex. Mercedes names Gutierrez as FE reserve driver. 15 November 2019. 15 November 2019. motorsport.com. 15 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191115170137/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/gutierrez-mercedes-development-driver-reserve/4597460/. live.
  22. News: Mercedes Formula E team switches to black livery too. Sam. Smith. 2 August 2020. The Race. 29 July 2020. 1 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201201211410/https://the-race.com/formula-e/mercedes-formula-e-team-switches-to-black-livery-too/. live.
  23. News: Berlin E-Prix: Vandoorne heads Mercedes 1-2 in season finale. Kew. Matt. 13 August 2020. 16 August 2020. 15 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115185818/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/vandoorne-mercedes-berlin-eprix-finale/4855544/. live.
  24. News: Berlin E-Prix VI: Vandoorne gives Mercedes first Formula E win in finale. Kew. Matt. 13 August 2020. 15 August 2020. 13 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200813183152/https://www.autosport.com/fe/news/151353/vandoorne-takes-first-mercedes-fe-win-in-finale. live.
  25. Web site: Mercedes drops all-black livery for 2021 Formula E season. Kew. Matt. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 29 October 2020. 5 November 2020. 1 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101015131/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/mercedes-vandoorne-de-vries-2021/4900788/. live.
  26. Web site: Mercedes gives Venturi extra Formula E testing. Smith. Sam. The Race. 5 November 2020. 5 November 2020. 19 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119200804/https://the-race.com/formula-e/mercedes-gives-venturi-extra-formula-e-testing/. live.
  27. Web site: Season 2 about to get underway. Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team. 24 February 2021. 20 March 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210320101221/https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/eq-formulae/we-race-the-city/season/season-2-about-to-get-underway/. live.
  28. Web site: Mercedes set to quit Formula E ahead of Gen3 era. Kew. Matt. Motorsport.com. 15 August 2021. 15 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815094214/https://www.motorsport.com/formula-e/news/mercedes-daimler-quit-fe-gen3-era/6648187/amp/. live.
  29. Web site: REIGNING CHAMPION DE VRIES HEADS MERCEDES-EQ ONE-TWO IN DIRIYAH OPENER. FIA Formula E. 18 August 2022. 12 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220612155703/https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2022/january/diriyah-round-1-report. live.
  30. Web site: VANDOORNE MASTERS MONACO TO TAKE STANDINGS LEAD WITH ROUND 6 WIN. FIA Formula E. 18 August 2022. 18 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818092638/https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2022/april/monaco-e-prix-round-6-report. live.
  31. Web site: 2022 Berlin ePrix. Motorsport Magazine. 18 August 2022. 18 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818092232/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/database/races/2022-berlin-eprix/. live.
  32. Web site: VANDOORNE: 'WE'VE GOT TO KEEP SCORING... IT'S SO CLOSE AT THE MOMENT'. FIA Formula E. 18 August 2022. 18 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818092232/https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2022/may/vandoorne-post-berlin-standings-lead. live.
  33. Web site: Stoffel Vandoorne wins 2022 Formula E title despite only winning one race all season. 14 August 2022 . London Evening Standard. 18 August 2022. 18 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220818092638/https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/formula-one/vandoorne-2022-formula-e-b1018506.html. live.
  34. Web site: VANDOORNE CLAIMS FORMULA E WORLD TITLE IN MERCEDES' LAST RACE. 14 August 2022 . The Race. 18 August 2022. 14 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220814171320/https://the-race.com/formula-e/vandoorne-claims-formula-e-world-title-in-mercedes-last-race/. live.
  35. Web site: New Technology Partnership: SAP and the Mercedes EQ Formula E Team Power Up for the Future. SAP SE. 22 May 2018. 28 February 2020. 28 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200228175734/https://news.sap.com/2018/05/sap-mercedes-eq-formula-e-team-new-technology-partnership/. live.
  36. Web site: ON Semiconductor and Mercedes EQ Formula E Team will work jointly to develop innovations for electric power trains of the future. Daimler AG. 5 November 2018. 28 February 2020. 15 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115185843/https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/ON-Semiconductor-and-Mercedes-EQ-Formula-E-Team-will-work-jointly-to-develop-innovations-for-electric-power-trains-of-the-future.xhtml?oid=41709303. live.
  37. Web site: NEOM becomes Principal Partner of Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team. Daimler AG. 4 March 2020. 27 July 2020. 15 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115185849/https://group-media.mercedes-benz.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/NEOM-becomes-Principal-Partner-of-Mercedes-Benz-EQ-Formula-E-Team.xhtml?oid=45816414. live.
  38. Web site: Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team and Modis enter into partnership for Season 7. Daimler AG. 29 October 2020. 30 October 2020. 25 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125114209/https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/Mercedes-Benz-EQ-Formula-E-Team-and-Modis-enter-into-partnership-for-Season-7.xhtml?oid=47889633. live.
  39. Web site: Mercedes' F1 and Formula E teams sign TeamViewer partnership. Georgina. Yeomans. SportsPro. SportsPro Media Ltd. 30 March 2021. 3 June 2021. 11 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220111125802/https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/mercedes-f1-formula-e-teamviewer-sponsor-2021-formula-one/. live.

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