Schaeffler has a long history of being at the forefront of new technology and this was illustrated in thrilling style when the first FIA race series with electric-powered vehicles started its world tour in China.
It was right at the forefront of the action winning the first round of the inaugural FIA Formula E series at Beijing’s Olympic Park as the exclusive technology partner of Team ABT Sportsline.
The green and yellow Schaeffler livery that’s famous throughout motorsport featured proudly on the 140mph cars of Daniel Abt and winner Lucas di Grassi, who took the chequered flag after leaders Nicolas Prost and Nick Heidfeld crashed on the final corner.
Several major cities around the world have signed up to host the ground-breaking races, with Beijing the first in the ten round series.
Schaeffler Technology Director Prof. Peter Gutzmer explained why this is such a unique opportunity for Schaeffler.
He said: “Motorsport is not only ideally suited to accelerating the further development of new technologies, but it energises your emotions with the topic of electric mobility in a fascinating way.”
Gutzmer believes that Schaeffler’s collaboration with ABT Sportsline is a long term agreement that far exceeds the idea of a pure sponsoring arrangement.
He said: “We are going to support the further development of the race car and its components with the know-how and experience of our engineers in the future.”
Team MD Hans-Jürgen Abt agrees: “We’re delighted that in Schaeffler we’ve got a perfect partner on board for the challenges we face in Formula E, and from their success in DTM we’ve come to know the passion with which all Schaeffler employees support motorsport.
“At the start of the second season, teams will be allowed to subject some of the vehicle’s components to further development – so having a partner like Schaeffler, with such a wealth of engineering expertise and experience in electric mobility is obviously worth a mint.”
ABT Sportsline is the only German team in an international field that includes outfits from the USA, India, China and Europe. Former Formula One stars Alain Prost and Jarno Trulli have entered their own teams, as well as entrepreneur Richard Branson and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
More than ten drivers have experience in Formula One, including 31-year-old Brazilian di Grassi, who also competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Formula E events will not be held on permanent race tracks, but on street circuits in the heart of major cities including Putrajaya in Malaysia, Punta del Este, Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Miami and Long Beach in the USA, Monaco and Berlin before the series finishes on June 27, 2015 in London.
In the UK, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd supplies LuK clutches, INA tensioners and FAG wheel bearings to the independent aftermarket, with all brands backed by technical support and repair installation tips through its industry leading internet site RepXpert (www.RepXpert.com) and a technical hotline; UK Tel: 08457 001100, Ireland Tel: +44 (0)1432 264264.
