By Alan Baldwin
LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Formula One giants McLaren are
keen to be involved in a new global electric motor racing series
set to start in 2014 and could even enter a team at some stage,
according to principal Martin Whitmarsh.
The Formula E series, to be promoted by a Hong Kong-based
consortium led by Spanish businessmen, will be sanctioned by the
governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) with plans
for a grid of 10 teams and 20 drivers.
The plan is for hour-long city-centre races in at least 10
different landmark locations around the world with drivers
having to change cars at pitstops due to the batteries lasting
only 15-20 minutes.
The world of Formula One, a series on the cutting-edge of
technology but still one where the ear-splitting roar of a V8
engine is a key attraction for ‘petrolhead’ fans, is keeping a
close watch on what promises to be a silent revolution.
“I think there’s quite a lot of interest… it’s something
that McLaren would be delighted to be involved with so we’re
obviously looking at it at the moment. Who knows, we might pop
up in it,” Whitmarsh told Reuters.
“I think we’re looking at all sorts of things. I think it’s
a good initiative and we’d be delighted in whatever form to be
involved with it.”
McLaren are far more than just a Formula One team these
days, having diversified into a range of applied technologies
and manufacturing their own sportscar at their Woking
headquarters.
They are also the official suppliers of electronic control
units to Formula One and NASCAR and have developed a 120KW
E-Motor for hybrid and electric vehicles.
Continued…
