This is good news for lots of motorsport fans: ABT Sportsline has officially applied to return to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in 2023 and enter two new-generation Gen3 cars as a customer team. ABT was already part of the Formula E family for the first seven years and is still the most successful team in the all-electric racing series, which made its debut in 2014, with 47 podium finishes and 1,380 points. After a one-year break, preparations for the comeback are now in full swing.
“Formula E has always had a big place in our hearts and we have never made a secret of the
fact that we want to be back,” says Hans-Jürgen Abt. The managing partner had already taken a risk in 2014 and led ABT into Formula E as the first German team. Once again, the aim is now to put together a perfect package, together with Head of Sports Marketing Harry Unflath and CEO Thomas Biermaier. “After the internal kick-off, we are now talking to our current and potential partners. The goal is to bring a strong team to the championship, both on and off track.”
The first prerequisite for the comeback is a place on the grid. “We have always been in contact with Formula E and the FIA, had many discussions and have received great support from the whole team around Alejandro (Agag), Alberto (Longo), Jamie (Reigle) and Frédéric
(Bertrand),” says Thomas Biermaier. The result: ABT has expressed its intention to take over the twelfth license for Season 9. ABT has also been able to win over one of the manufacturersregistered with the FIA as a partner for the acquisition of the powertrains for the Gen3 era of Formula E and will announce this cooperation shortly.
Place on the grid, race cars – race drivers. “As far as our two drivers are concerned, we have
very clear ideas,” says Thomas Biermaier. “We will probably start as underdogs, unlike last
time as a factory team. That’s why it’s all the more important that we have quick and clever
drivers in the cockpit, who fit in well with us. The first talks are exciting and very positive, so
I’m sure we’ll have our team together soon.”
“I am delighted to welcome ABT back to where they belong in the ABB FIA Formula E World
Championship,” says Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Formula E.
“ABT is a proven success story in Formula E with record-setting points and podium finishes so their return after a season out to be part of the Gen3 era is positive for fans and the sport.”
Formula E CEO, Jamie Reigle, echoed the positive sentiment for ABT’s return and what it
signals: “Formula E is the pinnacle of all-electric motorsport so it’s natural that teams and
manufacturers leading the electric mobility revolution want to be part of the championship.”