The Abt Cupra Formula E team is racing against time to secure a powertrain supplier for the upcoming season. Negotiations with Porsche for a deal in 2025 and 2026 recently fell through. Earlier this year, the team ended its partnership with Mahindra after a disappointing campaign in 2023. Talks with Porsche have been complex due to the shared affiliation with the Volkswagen group. Cupra, although a partner of Abt, does not provide any technical expertise to the team. One possibility that has been discussed is badging the Porsche powertrain as Cupra, similar to the DS powertrain known as Maserati among the Stellantis brands on the track.
Providing powertrains to multiple teams is a challenge for manufacturers in the series due to regulations. While a customer team must be supplied, providing for a second team presents significant challenges. Abt has struggled to achieve results with the Mahindra powertrain, with Lucas di Grassi and Nico Mueller failing to score points in the first four races of the season. Abt CEO Thomas Biermeier explained that negotiations with Porsche did not work out due to various reasons, including timing and financial constraints.
Despite the difficulties, Abt remains committed to Formula E and is determined to fight for points in the remaining races of the 2024 season. The team has a successful track record, winning several races and championships. However, options for a new powertrain partner are limited after the breakdown of negotiations with Porsche. Jaguar and Nissan are unlikely choices due to resource constraints, and Mahindra has already been ruled out. DS Automobiles may be a potential option, although it may seem unlikely on paper. The situation with the Maserati MSG team is complex, and there are rumors that Stellantis may make changes for the next season.
The possibility of new manufacturers entering the championship is also being discussed. Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds mentioned ongoing discussions with new manufacturers who do not have a powertrain or the ability to form a racing team. An announcement is expected to be made in the coming months to secure teams for the future.
