BMW gets Formula E manufacturer status from FIA

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The FIA has granted Formula E registrations to nine manufacturers, with BMW included in a group whose members will become powertrain providers for the series in the future.

ABT Formel E, Mahindra, Renault, Jaguar Land Rover, NEXT EV, Penske Autosport and Venturi also figure on the list of manufacturers which submitted their plans to the FIA in February and have now been accepted.

The manufacturers registrations effectively commit the companies to Formula E for three season, from 2018 to 2021.

The news is another boost to the credibility and stability of the burgeoning all-electric International series.

FIA President Jean Todt commented on the announcement:

"The homologation of the powertrains that will be used as from season 5 is a very significant step because it means the cars will be able to run for twice as long while, at the very least, maintaining the same performance level.

"This highlights how motorsport can stimulate and accelerate development of new technologies which can then be applied to road cars and in this case, it has even more of a key role, given that at the moment, electricity is one of the more practical alternatives when it comes to finding new forms of more sustainable mobility in the future."

McLaren open to Formula E involvement!

BMW, which is at the forefront of the development of electric road cars, confirmed its interest in Formula E last September, and initiated a working relationship with Andretti Formula E.

"The premise for all these steps is the further positive development of the series, which includes increasing the capacity of the batteries, for example."

McLaren Applied Technologies has been entrusted with the development of a battery energy increase which should be implemented in 2018/19, allowing drivers to go a full race distance without changing cars.

"When we launched the series in 2012, we had forecast to secure at least three manufacturers by season five," said series CEO Alejandro Agag.

"The news today has highlighted the number and quality of manufacturers joining the championship and tripling our initial expectations.

"This just goes to show the relevance of Formula E to the motor industry and as an attractive proposition to new audiences and commercial partners, such as the recent agreement with Allianz."

As a reminder, Mercedes has taken up an option to enter Formula E in 2018, while McLaren's Zak Brown has also expressed its interest in getting involved in the series.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.