Mercedes to quit DTM, enter Formula E

Mercedes-Benz will withdraw from the DTM at the end of 2018 ahead of an entry into Formula E for the 2019/2020 season.

Mercedes has been a mainstay in the current version of the DTM since its founding in 2000, and for almost two decades the championship has been defined by its battles with rival Audi, and more recently, BMW.

"Our years in the DTM will always be held high as a major chapter in the motorsport history of Mercedes," said Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff. "I want to thank every team member whose fantastic work has helped to make Mercedes-Benz the most successful DTM manufacturer during that time. Although leaving is tough for all of us, we will be doing everything during this season and next to make sure we win as many DTM titles as possible before we go. We owe that to our fans and to ourselves."

Between the modern DTM and its predecessor the ITC, Mercedes has won 10 drivers' championships, 13 team titles and six manufacturers' crowns. Mercedes-Benz cars Vice President of Marketing Dr Jens Theimer acknowledged that the move marks the end of an era.

"Our departure from the DTM brings a long-standing motorsport era to a close," he said. "We look back with pride on the commitment of our teams, drivers, partners and the many people behind the scenes, who so often made the series a fascinating platform for our customers and for fans of our brand."

In announcing the news, a Mercedes statement described the change as one that will put it "at both ends of the motorsport spectrum: in Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport combining high technology and the most demanding competitive challenge; and in Formula E, which embodies the transformation that is underway in the automotive industry."

Wolff said that electric vehicles are already of strategic importance to Mercedes, and will become increasingly prominent in the years ahead. Formula E, he said, represents an opportunity to showcase that technology.

"In motorsport like in every other area, we want to be the benchmark in the premium segment and to explore innovative new projects," he said.

"The combination of Formula 1 and Formula E delivers that. Formula E is like an exciting start-up venture: it offers a brand new format, combining racing with a strong event character, in order to promote current and future technologies. Electrification is happening in the road car world and Formula E offers manufacturers an interesting platform to bring this technology to a new audience – and to do so with a completely new kind of racing, different to any other series.

"I am pleased that we were able to extend our entry option for one year to the 2019/20 season. This gives us time to properly understand the series and to prepare for our entry in the right way."

News of Mercedes' impending arrival was welcomed by Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag.

"Today is a great day as we welcome Mercedes to the Formula E family - adding to the increasing number of manufacturers joining the electric revolution," he said.

"This step shows how much the world is changing, not only in motorsport, but the whole automotive industry. We're witnessing a transformation that will first change our cities, and then our roads. Formula E is the championship that embodies that change, and together with all our teams and manufacturers we'll keep pushing for technologies to have better and more affordable electric cars."