Formula E: Abt "in the middle" with new design

The Abt Formula E team says it is "in the middle" of its powertrain development for the championship's second season.

Formula E is opening up areas of its internals for manufacturer development for season two, and the majority of teams are now focused on testing the new parts ahead of the opener in Beijing in October. Abt, which challenged for the drivers' title with Lucas di Grassi and took third in the teams' standings, has been testing its car since the middle of June with its development partner Schaeffler.

"We are right in the middle with our preparations," team boss Hans-Jurgen Abt said. "Our new car, which is called the Abt Schaeffler FE01, had its shakedown on June 11 and since then has completed more tests in southern Germany and Hungary.

"Both Daniel [Abt] and Lucas have already tested the new components, and other dates are due to follow over the coming weeks."

Abt stressed there is still a lot of work to come in the program ahead of the second season, and plenty of decisions have yet to be taken on the direction of the project.

"Every important partner will remain onboard, and there may well be one or two surprises to announce," he said. "We'll develop our new design when everybody has expressed their wishes – the most important thing at the moment is that our car is fast.

"Obviously, it is a very special moment when a new car turns a wheel for the first time, but we also see just how much work lies ahead of us over the coming weeks."

Originally on Autosport.com