By alley - Sep 27, 2016, 4:01 AM ET

FE: BMW announces Andretti deal

BMW has formally confirmed its partnership with the Andretti Formula E team as part of its evaluation of a full works entry into the electric open-wheel series.

Autosport reported earlier this year the German manufacturer was considering an early entry into FE in a partnership capacity, while BMW contracted Antonio Felix da Costa was announced as an Andretti FE driver in July.

BMW has now confirmed it will work closely with the American team "in order to familiarize itself with processes in this innovative series, and to check the possibility of a works involvement in the future."

BMW's involvement in the development of the Andretti ATEC-02 powertrain for the 2016-'17 season, which begins in Hong Kong on Oct. 9, has reportedly been significant. The announcement reiterated that the manufacturer will not be involved in FE with a fully-fledged works team until the series moves to single-car races for the 2018-'19 campaign.

BMW's motorsport director Jens Marquardt said the FE move would allow the company to "forge new paths and demonstrate our expertise in the field of electric mobility."

"A works involvement is then conceivable as of the series' fifth season," he confirmed. "The premise for all these steps is the further positive development of the series, which includes increasing the capacity of the batteries, for example."

The FE tie-up was announced as part of what BMW called a "realignment" of its motorsport programs,

which will include an entry into the World Endurance Championship's GT class in 2018

.

BMW will continue to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, expand its GT4 participation with the M4 and "ramp up support" of Mini's Dakar Rally project.

Originally on Autosport.com