BMW announces entry to Formula E this season

More manufacturers are joining Formula E and the latest automaker to join the all-electric series is BMW. BMW formally announced that they have entered a multi-year deal with Amlin Andretti in the series.

"Over the coming years, the cooperation with Andretti Formula E will primarily focus on familiarizing ourselves with the procedures and processes, and on intensifying our knowledge. The premise for all these steps is the further positive development of the series, which includes increasing the capacity of the batteries, for example ," said Jens Marquandt, BMW Motorsports Director.

BMW-Amlin Andretti has also announced their driver lineup for Formula E. Andretti retains Robert Frijns for the next season, now a sophomore in the series. Frisjn was also the Blacplain GT champion in 2015. The team has also replaced Simona de Silvestro for Antonio Felix da Costa. Da Costa is a BMW contracted driver, having competed in DTM from 2014 to 2015 and raced for Super Aguri in Formula E.

Even before this announcement, BMW has been involved with the sport for the past two seasons. BMW brings a fleet of its electric and hybrid vehicles as support cars to every race. Also, the BMW i8 serves as the series' safety car while the i3 serves as Formula E's Medical car.