McLaren to quit all-electric Formula E series
McLaren are to quit the all-electric Formula E series at the end of this season.The decision comes in the wake of McLaren's commitment earlier this month to enter the world endurance championship, with its centrepiece the classic Le Mans 24 Hours, from 2027.McLaren, who entered Formula E in 2022, said the decision "will allow us to maximise future opportunities for growth across our key markets".Zak Brown, McLaren Racing's chief executive officer, said: "We are immensely proud of what we have achieved in Formula E and the series plays an integral part in the overall motorsport landscape."But the time is right to explore other opportunities that more closely align with McLaren Racing's overall strategic direction - including our 2027 entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship."McLaren took over the Formula E team run by Mercedes, who quit the series after winning back-to back world titles with Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne.The decision to exit reflects McLaren's desire to focus on the highest-profile parts of their motorsport portfolio, and acknowledgment that they cannot compete in everything.It also resonates with the company's history as previous winners of the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans, motorsport's so-called triple crown.The decision to enter WEC makes them the only company competing across these three motorsport championships. McLaren have set themselves the target of winning the triple crown again.They are reigning F1 world champions, and McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are first and second in this year's championship after the first five grands prix.IndyCar provides an additional presence in the US market beyond the country's three grands prix in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, as well as an entry in the Indy 500, the country's biggest race.McLaren drivers Christian Lundgaard and Pato O'Ward are third and sixth in this year's IndyCar series after three rounds.World Endurance gives McLaren access to the prestige of Le Mans, as well as a direct marketing link to the company's road-going, high-performance sports cars. Many of McLaren's road-car market rivals, such as Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini, are also competing in WEC.McLaren also have a presence in the Formula 1 Academy for aspiring female drivers.Formula E is a world championship but it is struggling to maintain a significant public profile and last year Brown said its failure to grow its audience was the series' "biggest problem". In addition to that, while Formula E gives brands a chance to trumpet sustainability as a message, the same now applies to F1.F1 already uses highly efficient hybrid engines, and from next year the electrical part of the power unit will increase to supply about 50% of the total performance. F1 is also switching to fully sustainable fuels.McLaren is also pushing its sustainability agenda in other areas, for example by producing a circularity handbook, external which was commissioned by governing body the FIA aimed at improving sustainability practices in F1 design and manufacturing. Brown said McLaren would look for a new owner for the Formula E team, whose British drivers Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird are fourth and 13th in the championship after the first five rounds."For now, we are focused on setting this great team up for future success by working towards securing a new owner," Brown said."The team has delivered a strong start to the year and we intend to finish the season on a high."
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