Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport has unveiled its new Formula E car, the FE01, ahead of the upcoming season, in which Schaeffler will play an increased role having switched from chief sponsor to technical partner.
The official launch took place at Donington Park, where all of the Formula E teams have set up base, the venue of six pre-season test days in the build up to the new campaign.
Formula E is a ground-breaking FIA single-seater championship and the world’s first fully-electric racing series, the inaugural season ended in London in June 2015 after visiting 10 of the world’s leading cities.
The new season gets underway in Beijing next month, when a new era in motorsports will begin for Schaeffler. New rules mean that, as the exclusive technology partner of Team ABT Sportsline, the company has been able to develop the powertrain of the new ‘ABT Schaeffler FE01.’
Last season all the teams were competing with standard-specification cars, whereas this season the development of the entire powertrain has been left to each individual team. Its core element is the electric motor named ‘ABT Schaeffler MGU 01.’ The project was focused on achieving the best possible efficiency, high reliability and optimal thermal management due to modified cooling.
“Our motor has better torque and better efficiency than its predecessor,” says Prof. Peter Gutzmer, who as Chief Technology Officer is responsible for the developments at Schaeffler and was faced with a tight schedule: “The first meetings took place about ten months ago and, only half a year later, the first parts were produced.”
Schaeffler also developed a new transmission that is coordinated with the motor and was produced by the company’s renowned partner Hewland according to special specifications. It is stiffer and more compact. To achieve the goal of minimising the number of shifting events per lap, the engineers opted for a three-speed variant. Again, this has not been restricted this season and teams will drive with gearboxes ranging from one-speed to four-speed.
The suspension has been optimised as well, now featuring higher stiffness and improved kinematics. The connecting link between all the elements is the newly developed software that manages the interaction between all the components. The perfection of its functionality has been one of the focal aspects of the tests.
“For us, it was clear from the beginning that we wouldn’t do anything by halves. That’s why we looked at all the areas released by the regulations and developed optimised solutions of our own together with our partners,” says Prof. Gutzmer.tiffness and improved kinematics. The connecting link between all the elements is the newly developed software that manages the interaction between all the components. The perfection of its functionality has been one of the focal aspects of the tests.
This is a standard to which Schaeffler is committed outside motorsports as well. Gutzmer continued “Electric mobility as a whole, including hybrid solutions as well as fully electric driving, will significantly define mobility of the future. The Formula E commitment is an ideal way of being at the forefront of this technology and sets an example: we want our engineers to push limits and to seek competition – in production just like in motorsports.”
Schaeffler has been involved in Formula E from day one and is now taking the next step. “The collaboration with ABT Sportsline is outstanding. The team gelled in the first season, goes about its work in a professional and success-oriented manner, and is the perfect ambassador for our vision of ‘Mobility for tomorrow,’ says Gutzmer.
The team has opted for continuity with its drivers as Daniel Abt (22), the son of Team Director Hans-Jürgen Abt, and Lucas di Grassi (31) continue at the wheel.
Former Formula 1 driver di Grassi was in contention for the drivers’ title up to the last of the eleven races and no other driver mounted the podium as often as the Brazilian last term as the team took third place in the teams’ classification. He was sold on the concept right from the beginning.
“When I was presented with the idea of an eclectic formula three years ago, it was clear for me that it was the future, not only of motorsport but of human mobility in general.
“Electric cars are good for the environment, more efficient and the way the electric motor works means for the driver it’s technically more challenging when on the limit.”
Following the season opener in Asia, Formula E will be embarking on a world tour of South and North America and Europe. The round in the heart of France’s capital Paris will be new on the calendar.
The home round from Schaeffler’s perspective will be held in Berlin on May 21. For the finale, the 20 drivers will be meeting in London on the first weekend in July.
Daniel Abt stated that it’s the glamourous locations that mean this form of motorsport so unique. “For me it’s the tracks that make Formula E so special. It’s the concept of taking the racing into the cities, to the people.”
