333 Racing is the latest manufacturer to commit to Formula E’s third generation of car, which will make its debut in 2022/23 for the electric racing series’ ninth season.
The team has competed in the championship since Formula E’s inaugural season, then known as China Racing, and won the first FIA Formula E Drivers’ Championship with Nelson Piquet Jr.
The Chinese manufacturer, owned by Shanghai Lisheng Racing, has a technical partnership with Chinese EV company NIO. It introduced its latest drivetrain ahead of season seven this year and has already scored four points finishes.
Formula E and the FIA are working on a brand new car for season nine, which will bring performance and efficiency benefits including more powerful, lighter cars, faster charging and cost controls.
“We have experienced the development of Formula E since its inception and now, as it blossoms into an FIA World Championship, we welcome the evolution in to its third generation,” commented NIO 333 FE Team CEO, Vincent Wang.
“We joined many meetings with the FIA and Formula E regarding the Gen3 technical roadmap when we joined the Formula E family as 333 Racing last year.
“We are delighted to join the list of manufacturers that will continue in the series and we expect to see further change as the Formula E develops; metabolism is the objective law of development. Formula E is still the best new-energy racing series featuring sustainable development, worldwide influence and is at the forefront of electric mobility technology innovation – we at NIO 333 Formula E Team are extremely proud to continue to be part of it.”
Formula E CEO, James Reigle, welcomed the news: “333 Racing Team confirming their intention to compete in the Gen3 era is fantastic news and further evidence of Formula E’s unique position as a global sport, technology proving ground and marketing platform.
“The team has made a strategic decision to build their own powertrain and control their competitive destiny. We look forward to working with the NIO 333 Formula E Team to develop the next phase of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. As a Chinese owned and operated team, 333 Racing will further our ambition of accelerating a shift to electric mobility in China and beyond.”
