Agag 'simply puzzled' by Mercedes decision to quit Formula E

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Formula E chairman Alejandro Agag says he doesn't understand Mercedes' decision to exit Formula E, speculating that the German manufacturer is perhaps looking to make a last stand in Formula 1 and combustion-engine racing in the coming years.

Mercedes' works EQ Formula E team will pull out of the all-electric series at the end of 2022, just ahead of the introduction of FE's Gen3 car for Season 9.

Mercedes will be seeking to off-load its FE assets to a private entrant at the end of next year and focus its works motorsport activities on F1, stating that the latter remained "the fastest laboratory for developing and proving sustainable and scalable future performance technologies."

Agag struggled to make sense of a decision that runs counter point in his view to the paradigm shift currently taking place in the automobile industry and to Mercedes' commercial move towards a full electric road car line by 2030.

"For me, I cannot understand their decision," Agag told Motorsport TV. " It simply puzzles me. They are selling electric cars more and more, they will stop selling combustion cars in the UK in 2030.

"To go back to combustion racing, maybe they're having a little bit 'the last dance'.

"They want to enjoy these last years burning fuel and then in 2030 they will maybe come back to electric racing. Probably before that. But I cannot understand the decision, but it's not a problem."

Read also: McLaren not yet ready to make a call on Formula E and WEC future

Mercedes will follow Audi and BMW out the FE door, but an optimistic Agag ensured that other manufacturers will be arriving into the series in the future while the Spaniard also underlined the value of the independent teams that are currently among its entrants.

"We have other manufacturers coming on board very soon," he said.

"We have fantastic independent teams. You need to make championships ready to go with independent teams only. Formula E is in great shape."

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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.