Andretti Formula E has decided to delay the introduction of its new powertrain and revert to the previous McLaren motor used in the inaugural season.
Following a difficult pre-season testing program during which the team was unable to complete any meaningful mileage with its new powertrain, the team opted to install the season one technology for the final test day so that it could take to the track. However, the team confirmed that despite the setback it intends to retain its status as a constructor and move its focus to introducing a bespoke powertrain for the start of next season.
“We made the decision to change on Monday evening and we’d come into this test with certain objectives we wanted to achieve and we had a situation which has prevented us from achieving those objectives. That was a key factor in what we would do and it’s obvious we’ve had a number of issues trying to get to this stage. We kept working through them and we were confident of finding a solution but unfortunately the circumstances meant that we were left with no choice. It’s important we put on a good show and put on hold our plans to develop the powertrain and we’re not going to give up our status as a constructor. We are going to keep working but just delay the introduction until season three,” said Roger Griffiths, head of Andretti Technologies.
Before reverting to the season one powertrain Andretti Formula E had only managed to complete a total of 16 laps without setting a representative time. On the last day courtesy of Simona de Silvestro and Robin Frijns the team managed to clock a combined 68 laps.
The new Formula E season gets underway in Beijing on October 17.