A product of the ties with Nissan, the McLaren vehicle is practically the same as the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 that was also presented last November 30.

It is a car that, like the other members of the grid, has a powertrain that offers 350 kW of maximum power and a braking energy recovery capacity of 600 kW, which allows 40% of the energy used in the race to come from this route.

Read also: Formula 1 Unveils Sustainability Progress Achieved in 2022

Features

McLaren’s ‘Gen3’, without being outstanding, has a very attractive presentation. It wears its traditional papaya orange that is combined with light blue and black details. On the front wing, side pontoons and rear wing area, black predominates, while the recognizable brand color forms an arrowhead.

The straight lines give the McLaren Gen3 a more sober image than other proposals, but the simple decoration of the British brand’s single-seater is very well balanced. NEOM, as main sponsor and even part of the team’s name, plays a leading role on the sides and side flaps of the front wing.

The presentation of McLaren for the new era of Formula E has also served to know the numbers that will use their two drivers in their first season with the team.

In the case of Rast there is some surprise, since the German cannot use his usual #33, since it is already taken by Dan Ticktum. Faced with this situation, Rast has opted to compete with the number #58.

Hughes, on the other hand, has opted for the number #5 for his debut in the series. It should be recalled that the British driver was already part of the project before the absorption by McLaren, so his experience within the team after being a reserve and test driver for Mercedes EQ last season can be very interesting in the first change.

Formula E takes the field on January 14, 2023 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, where 11 teams and 22 drivers will seek to be the monarchs of the beginning of an ambitious era.

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One of the names on the British brand’s agenda is Jake Hughes, who left Formula 2 stating that he would like to dedicate himself more to Formula E – in which he was a Mercedes test driver and has already tested the NIO single-seater – and could be the big name for 2023.

In the midst of his career, he highlights the Formula 4 BRDC title in 2013 and the runner-up in the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps in 2015. Hughes then competed in GP3 Series in 2016 and 2018 for the DAMS and ART Grand Prix teams respectively.

In 2019 and 2020, he competed in FIA Formula 3 with HWA. The following year, he partially participated in the Formula 2 season with the same team.

According to the English media The Race, Hughes is listed as favorite, but there are other drivers who also aspire to the position at the iconic firm.

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The Candidates

Maximilian Günther, who was left without a seat at Nissan with the signing of Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz for 2023, is one of them. Oliver Turvey, who should have his departure from NIO confirmed soon, would also be an option given his knowledge of Formula E.

Turvey will be replaced precisely by Sérgio Sette Câmara, one of the racers with whom McLaren was negotiating. The Brazilian finished the season well despite the constant failures presented by the Dragon Penske car.

Finally, Felix Rosenqvist‘s proposal arose, although everything indicates that he will remain in IndyCar. After being McLaren’s strong name to lead the Formula E project, the Swede has not shown much interest in moving to the electric single-seater category and has already made it clear that he prefers to stay in the United States.

It is speculated that Rosenqvist would have proposals from other teams, but he has not yet finalized any of the offers that have been put on the table.

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The German returns after a full-time stint with Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in season 7, achieving his best result in Puebla by finishing second.

The Minden-born driver’s first appearance in the series was in the 2015-16 season, He scored his first Formula E podium in Berlin after impressing with his feisty and combative driving style.

An Emblematic Landmark

For Rast, it means a great challenge to join the ranks of a team with such a long tradition in motorsport. “As a racing fan, McLaren has always had great appeal. It’s an iconic name in motorsport with a rich history, so I feel privileged and proud to be able to represent them in Formula E next season.”

About his transit in the electric single-seater series, the Teuton highlights that it was a great experience and he said goodbye with several pending accounts. “I’m excited that I now have the opportunity to continue that journey. I am extremely motivated and have no doubt that we will create something great together.”

Proven Driver

NEOM McLaren Director, Ian James, highlighted Rast’s virtues, while expressing his delight at the hire. “He is not only extremely fast, but also consistent, and has valuable previous Formula E experience, which will be a great help to both the team and himself.”

“Season 9 promises to be an exciting challenge for the team and I am happy to have one of our cars in Rene’s trusted hands,” he added.

For his part, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown noted that Rast has impressed the time he competed in Formula E. “He is a true racer and has proven to be quick in any car he has driven. His previous Formula E experience will be invaluable as we move into this exciting new era of racing,” he said.

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The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund will be the team’s main commercial partner, a move that reinforces its “Neom” project, which consists of the development of a smart city, within the framework of its Vision 2030 program.

Arab participation in the McLaren project will be total, to the point of becoming part of the team name to Neom McLaren Formula E Team. The agreement also includes operating under the combined banner of the new Neom McLaren Electric Racing department, and this new link covers other aspects, as students and recent graduates involved in the program will be able to undertake a one-year internship with the Woking team.

Saudi Arabian Influence

Through the Neom project, Saudi Arabia is seeking leadership in new technologies attached to sustainability and mobility. In addition, the country has become one of the benchmark territories for Formula E in recent years by organizing the novel night race with which the series has debuted in the last two seasons.

In other novel competitions such as Extreme E, the Arabs will also lead the way with McLaren and fund the entire entry under the name Neon McLaren Extreme E.

Related content: McLaren to Use Nissan Powertrain in Formula E

McLaren CEO Zak Brown did not hide his happiness at having the backing of the Saudi Arabian fund, which he described as a “great way to start their journey in Formula E and unify efforts in electric racing championships.

“With Neom’s support, we have the option to introduce the new Neom McLaren Electric Racing department and work with them to nurture talent and drive innovation from our sporting projects,” he added.

For his part, Neom Project CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr stressed that the partnership with McLaren Racing complements the commitment to drive sustainable solutions and address some existing and really pressing societal challenges.

“Neom is an economic engine for Saudi Arabia and will be a destination for great innovative companies like McLaren Racing when it comes to doing technological research. I am sure this partnership will allow us to move forward in all aspects,” he maintained.

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Weeks ago, McLaren Director Zak Brown had already said that the team would not develop its own machine, so they were in talks to acquire the process from another manufacturer.

Nissan has taken important steps that demonstrate its strong interest in Formula E. In 2018, they came to the electric single-seater series to supplant Renault, earlier this year they bought e.dams to take full control of the workforce, and now they take on the challenge of leading the engineering of a historic brand like McLaren.

Related content: Sustainable Legacy: Formula E Holds Awareness Days in London on Positive Impact of Electromobility

In that sense, Nissan Director Tommaso Volpe emphasized that they are not only participating in the category to compete, but also to demonstrate to a wide range of spectators how “impressive, powerful and efficient our electric vehicles are in general.”

“Our collaboration with McLaren will give us even more opportunities when it comes to accelerating the development of our technology and showing it to fans around the world,” he added.

Read also: Audi Tests Technological Tool to Avoid Accidents with Cyclists

For his part, Brown believes this will be a partnership that will boost both McLaren’s performance and the development of Nissan’s powertrain technology in Formula E.

“Nissan has demonstrated its knowledge, skill and commitment over the past four seasons in Formula E, as well as going into the Gen3 era. We have every confidence that the partnership will bring many successes to both parties,” the executive assured.

Drivers and Funding

After defining the seat with which it will participate and the powertrain it will use in Formula E, McLaren has on its agenda to define the drivers who will be behind the wheel of the team.

Likewise, the team is conducting intense negotiations to obtain commercial partners that will allow it to participate in the series with the required economic boost, and according to information published by Motorsport, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund would be one of the manufacturer’s allies.

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What is known so far is that the company will enter the electric single-seater series with the license of Mercedes-EQ, which is leaving the circuit, but the development of the powertrain they will use and the drivers who will lead the team are still unclear.

As already happens in other competitions such as Formula 1 and Extreme E, it is estimated that McLaren will not develop its own structure in the car, so it is already in negotiations with other manufacturers that can supply it with this technology.

Read also: DS to Apply Formula E Technology to Urban Range

Paradoxically, in 2014, McLaren Applied Technologies manufactured the electric motor, transmission and electronic system that was installed in all Spark-Renault SRT 01E chassis that competed in Formula E, but now the British firm Greybull Capital is the one that has control over that entire division.

Strategy.

“We are taking a big step. We have to get the category and integrate Ian James (director) and the team. At the end of the day, we have a great partnership with Chevrolet in IndyCar and another great partnership with Mercedes in Formula 1. So having a powertrain other than McLaren is no problem. That’s how we approach motorsport,” stated McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

He pointed out that not applying their own structure will not be a problem, since, for example, in Formula 1 they have never used their own engine in the long history they have in motorsport’s top category.

“We will let Ian James shape the future plans, but this issue seems clear. Ian James himself knows, so we will announce our technical partner, as well as the drivers and our partners and sponsors in due course,” added Brown.

Among the manufacturers being considered to supply technology to McLaren, Nissan has been strongly tipped as an option to formalize a deal to provide power units.

Regarding the drivers, the names of Mercedes representatives Stoffel Vandoorne and Nick de Vries were being considered. However, the former already has a previous agreement with DS Techeetah, while the reigning champion will continue his course outside the street circuits.

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Mercedes-EQ, the current champion constructor of the tournament, and whose drivers dominate the season 8 leaderboard, will leave its wake in the new team with all the engineering and innovation. From this point of view, the silver arrow brand will not completely abandon the category.

Mercedes director Ian James will continue to lead the team, allowing for a smooth transition as the squad prepares to appear on the grid under the iconic McLaren name next season.

Read also: Marrakech to Replace Vancouver on the Formula E Calendar

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown noted that entering Formula E demonstrates that the team has always sought to compete against the best and at the forefront of technology, providing fans and partners with new forms of entertainment

“As with all forms of the sport we participate in, Formula E has racing at its core, but will be strategically, commercially and technically additional to McLaren Racing overall,” he said.

Brown believes Formula E will give the team a competitive advantage through a greater understanding of electric vehicle racing, while providing a point of difference to fans, partners and individuals, and continuing to drive them along their sustainability journey.

Pleased at Formula E

The series welcomes McLaren as great news that counters the defections of some teams. Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle stresses that the arrival of the iconic brand will be a powerful lever to attract more fans to electric racing.

“McLaren is one of the historic names in world sport with a global fan base and a glittering list of achievements in multiple forms of motorsport. From next season and the start of the Gen3 era, the only place to see McLaren go head to head with historic names in motorsport, including Porsche, Jaguar, Maserati and Nissan, is in the ABB FIA Formula E FIA World Championship,” he added.

For Formula E Founder and Chairman Alejandro Agag, the inclusion of McLaren is the culmination of a long-term goal and the start of an exciting new chapter.

 “I wanted McLaren to be part of the ABB FIA Formula E FIA World Championship from season 1, and I am delighted that we have finally achieved this. But it’s so much more than just deciding to go racing. Being part of Formula E signals a strategic investment in the future of electric vehicle development,” he stressed.

Written by I Jhonattan González

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This company serves as a fleet management company in North America. In this way, both parties hope to enhance the development of sustainability. McLaren, as vehicle manufacturer, and Merchants Fleet, as fleet leader, through its ACCELER8 ESG (Accelerating Environmental, Social and Governance Engagement) program.

This program highlights electrification, diversity, equity and inclusion, principles perfectly aligned with Extreme E’s goals since its inception. As such, this partnership fits perfectly with the short-, medium- and long-term goals proposed regarding the transition to a greener landscape.

“Merchants is committed to create a better world through electrification and equity. We are excited to collaborate with McLaren Racing to highlight these important issues through Extreme E, which puts women into the driver’s seat, and allows racing fans to experience the world-class skill and equity that the British team brings to the sport,” said Brendan P. Keegan, Merchants Fleet CEO.

Related content: Extreme E, the First Step in the Sustainable Strategy McLaren Entrenched at COP26

“We are delighted to announce our partnership with Merchants Fleet to support our team. Our association highlights the dedication of our partners to help address the impacts of climate change. We look forward to compete at Extreme E Season 2 to further educate ourselves, accelerate our sustainability journey and promote diversity, equality and inclusion,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing.”

Merchants Fleet has a program called AdoptEV, guiding the companies that hire its services on how to make the shift to electrification of their fleets, promoting sustainability for freight transportation. Currently, the company has more than 40,000 electric vehicles from various automakers, and as confirmed by the firm, several dealers have committed more than $2 billion to have 50% of their fleet fully electrified by 2025 and for their customers by 2030.

About McLaren

McLaren Racing was founded by New Zealand driver Bruce McLaren in 1963. The team entered on its first Formula 1 race in 1966, since then it has won 20 Formula 1 World Championships and more than 180 Grand Prix races; the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its first attempt and the Indianapolis 500 three times. McLaren Racing currently competes on Formula 1, INDYCAR and recently joined Extreme E for 2022.

About Merchants Fleet

Merchants Fleet is an American fleet management company that offers flexible financing and service options for organizations that leverage vehicles to run their operations, serving as a single source for all auto needs, including electric. The company is headquartered in Hooksett, New Hampshire, and its innovation center is located in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

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The British team announced this week its adhesion to the UN’s signature and commitment in Sports for Climate Action and the Race to Zero program during COP26, and also announced the appointment of its first sustainability Director. 

By becoming a signatory to the pledge, McLaren Racing joins the sporting community as a responsible global citizen fighting climate change. The framework includes measuring, reducing and reporting the team’s greenhouse gas emissions, aligned with the 1.5 degree target enshrined under the Paris Agreement, and with the objective of being net zero carbon by 2040. 

Related content: How McLaren’s Arrival to Extreme E will Raise the Series’ Status

Similarly, the Race to Zero campaign exists to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities and investors to reach zero carbon emissions to prevent future threats, create decent jobs and unlock inclusive and sustainable growth.

These announcements follow a strategy spearheaded by the Prince of Wales during COP26 to mark McLaren’s entry into Extreme E and highlight the presence of the team’s first female racing driver.

A Key Position

McLaren Racing’s first female sustainability director, Kim Wilson is set to join the team on January 31, 2022. She was most recently employed by EDF in the UK, where she was at the forefront of its sustainable business agenda for more than a decade. Her most recent focus was the development of the Helping Britain Achieve Net Zero campaign.

“McLaren Racing’s ambition to drive and champion innovation that helps others to transition to a circular, net zero world and positively contribute to a truly sustainable future is truly inspiring. I am excited to be joining the team at such a crucial time and look forward to working with my new colleagues to turn these bold ambitions into reality,” said Wilson.

Tim Bampton, McLaren’s Director of Communications and Sustainability, said Wilson is a professional who will bring a wealth of experience in integrating sustainability into the team’s culture and decision making. 

He emphasized that her experience in this field is second to none. “She joins McLaren at a time when our future commitment to sustainability is of paramount importance and I have no doubt that she will bring shared value to the McLaren team and the environment,” he said.

Written by I Jhonattan González

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From 2022, the Woking-based team will join the official Extreme E grid in what will be only its second season. In fact, the first season is not over yet, as the last round of the year is still to be held on December in the United Kingdom, precisely McLaren’s home.

The arrival of the British manufacturer will further enhance the image of the electrified rally division worldwide, much more than it is now. So far, four X Prix have been disputed, all with great reception, good amounts of rating worldwide and even the category that bets on a new form in motorsport already has two awards to its credit.

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McLaren has a high, respected name and serves as a trusted manufacturer on the automotive scene. In motorsport, it is no different. Its presence at the highest category of world motorsport, Formula 1, endorses it, and also in IndyCar. Therefore, its recent incorporation to Extreme E will act as a propulsion spring worldwide.

The team recently unveiled its vehicle and caused a sensation. In addition, its name will go down in history as the first team with a Formula 1 presence to move into the electric off-road series. Undoubtedly, it will serve as an example for other brands to face the transition and dare to change.

Having Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and now McLaren as part of the Extreme E structure will increase the popularity of sustainable sport, which through Extreme E has shown that electrification does not detract from the excitement of racing. On the contrary, it remains the same but with the great difference that it fights for a noble and necessary cause: climate change.

Written by | Ronald Ortega

The post How McLaren’s Arrival to Extreme E will Raise the Series’ Status appeared first on Green Racing News.