Marchionne: Ferrari 'needs to be in Formula E'

Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne says that the Prancing Horse needs to be involved in Formula E as part of a move toward increased use of hybrid technology in its road cars.

Speaking to the official FIA magazine Auto, Marchionne said that the hybrid La Ferrari supercar is a step towards broader use of new technologies in future Ferrari models; a change that he believes should be reflected on the racetrack.

"We need to be involved in Formula E, because electrification via hybridization is going to be part of our future," said Marchionne, who also emphasized his desire to bring the Alfa Romeo brand back into Formula 1.

"At this stage, I don't know how likely it is that either of those two things will happen," he said. "But the fact that we are talking about them is a good sign in itself."

BMW, Jaguar Land Rover and Renault were among the nine manufacturers recently granted homologation for Formula E's fifth season in 2018/19. That season also marks the beginning of a new three-year powertrain homologation cycle, meaning that any new manufacturer would be able to homologate its powertrain for two years if they enter for 2019/20, or one season if they enter in 2020/21.