BEIJING, CHINA - Potential consumers look at a Maserati car during the 2020 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition at China International Exhibition Center on September 28, 2020 in Beijing, China.
(Photo : Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Maserati will finally make its grand return to single-seater racing next year, with the famed Italian manufacturer joining the 2023 FIA Formula E World Championship. Maserati will be the first Italian team to compete in Formula E, making the move just as the all-electric series switches to new, faster Gen3 cars in 2023.
Grasso, Agag hail Maserati's return to the world of single-seater racing
Maserati CEO Davide Grasso released a statement regarding the move, saying that they are very proud to be back where they belong as protagonists in the world of racing. He added that they have a long history of world-class excellence in competition, and they are ready to drive performance in the future.
Formula E founder and chairman Alejandro Agag was also ecstatic with the move, hailing Maserati's announcement to join next year's competition as one of the greatest days in ABB Formula E Championship history. Agag paid tribute to Maserati's incredible history in motor racing and believes it is a huge moment for the Formula E Championship that the Italian outfit will be in it as they push for the electric revolution.
"It's great to have an Italian team in the ABB Formula E Championship. And you know, it's been a few seasons, it's taken a few years, but I think it couldn't be a better brand, a better team to come into the championship than Maserati," according to Agag.
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Maserati to partner with another team in the first year in Formula E
Maserati would not be doing it alone in their first year in Formula E. To get the Italian manufacturer settled in Formula E, Maserati will partner with a yet-to-be-announced team. This arrangement will be similar to the collaboration enjoyed by Stellantis group member DS with Techeetah.
Speaking of DS, Maserati is expected to share specific designs of the FE hardware with its fellow Stellantis affiliate. Maserati venturing into electric motor racing is not a complete surprise given its plans to electrify its road car range, including its highly popular MC20 supercar, the GranTurismo, the GranCabrio, and the new Grecale SUV.
It has been a long time since Maserati competed in single-seater racing. The last time that it transpired was back in 1958 when Teresa De Filippis made history as the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Maserati was one of Formula One's powerhouses in the 1950s, with Juan Manuel Fangio winning the Drivers' Championship for the Italian manufacturer back in 1954 and 1957.
Grasso was also asked about Maserati's possible return to F1. He refused to rule it out entirely, saying that "time will tell." He said that their main focus right now is Formula E and that this competition is a big step for them.
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