BMW Rules Out Formula E Entry Due To Mid-Race Car Changes

BMW "has ruled out an entry into the Formula E Championship in the short term," according to Gary Watkins of AUTOSPORT. BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt explained that the German manufacturer "has no interest in joining the series while the practice of drivers swapping cars mid-race remains." Marquardt: "An issue that needs to be addressed is the change of car. If you look at public discussions of electric mobility, the issue of reach is very important." The technology road map laid out for FE "calls for the mid-race change of car to come to an end in season five" in '18-19, but Marquardt said that he did not know if it was "set in stone" (AUTOSPORT, 7/29).