Mercedes to pull out of DTM in favour of Formula E (Porsche too)

[R154]

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a10352263/mercedes-will-quit-dtm-in-2019-to-race-in-formula-e/

I posted this in another thread, but this is some ground shaking news with pretty far reaching consequences.

I hate formula E.

Nay, I hate the idea of contracting a disease and dying slowly and painfully.

This is much, much worse. This stirs a deep sense of loss within my soul.

Discuss.

[tonytiger55]

Intriguing post Nostradamus..

I guess it makes sense in a business perspective to streamline ones business plan. I mean why develop a technology and limit its usage.. when you can broaden its application and make more money out of it..? In that sense it does make sense for Mercedes.

The problem with Formula E is marketing. F1 is a business. Look at this year’s cars, more aggressive styling and engineering, presenters getting more involved with the action with questioning after the race. It's whole marketing game to make Moola and entice viewers. Its defo got me excited. :burnout:

How do you market Goomba and Count Von Messerschmitt driving around in a silent tuned up Tesla..? That’s like marketing new porn vids with no sound as the new thing. :poosie:

Fun thing about Nostradamus. There were things he predicted that did not come true.. I mean are we not meant to be in the middle of a nuclear war started by a blue turban guy out in the middle east?... just saying… :dunno:

Im off to make some tea…:love:

[killramos]

Well they just released their new AMG GT4 car so its not a complete loss. Was never super into DTM anyways.

Formula E... Thats just a giant waste of money, MB doesn't even have much of an electric presence let alone AMG.

[R154]

I don't endeavour to be correct on this one. It fact straight after I read this story I lost my mind.

I absolutely despise. The thought of racing turning to formula E. I mean, it's clear that the world is trying its damn best to vilify and destroy my beloved ice.

I don't watch Dtm like I watch formula series racing, however it is important to note just how vital to the series Mercedes is. In the same way if Ferrari pulled out of formula 1.

The whole idea of formula for a constructor is to explore the limits in a technical space. You'll be getting an electric amg sooner than later.

Ps I'm wrong a lot. I admit when I'm wrong. I have no problems with being wrong. Almost all my posts in the formula threads are based on what I remember. I'm an enthusiast not a savant haha.

[tonytiger55]

R154, I dont think your posts are being about wrong or right. I look it as a exploration of ideas to which I think needs to happen more as the ideas are articulated and the conversation develops. Fuck I do this more with my friends in the UK on Whatsapp then here in Canada. (Maybe I need to go to the pub more here..? :dunno:)

Would F1 really be lost without Ferrari..? I have heard this a lot. I prob get slated for this, but I don't think F1 would. If anything I think it would open up the game to mid level players. F1 will go on...just like when Jenna Jameson or Rebecca Lords retire... life goes on..

[rage2]

Formula E... Thats just a giant waste of money, MB doesn't even have much of an electric presence let alone AMG.
It's closer than you think. AMG is simply preparing for the inevitable with the EQ Power+ branding but that's more for hybrids at this time. They've already released the SLS AMG Electric Drive, but for the EQ Power+ branding the supercar gets the moniker first (if you don't count the F1 car) and the E Coupe AMG getting it next thanks to the 48V hybrid system with the other 43 cars and SUVs adopting the drivetrain and branding during refresh cycles. The next generation MFA2 (CLA45, GLA45 etc) will also be EQ Power+ with a 48V hybrid. In the next 3-4 years, we should see an all electric AMG.

So the timing for Formula E makes total sense right now for AMG. I know, I hate Formula E too, but the product will eventually get better assuming technology can catch up. Electrical storage technology really is the biggest issue with the F-E show right now. Not counting all the silly stuff to force entertaining values, but that will go away as the series matures.

[killramos]

Does the electric SLS REALLY count? lol ( To be fair it is the first thing I mention when someone asks me to name an electric car I DO like :rofl: )

Formula E just needs SOMETHING more interesting to make it watchable. Just knowing that deep down inside the cars run on batteries is just not enough of a reason for me to watch a lesser racing serious. I barely catch half of the real F1 races as it is.

EQ Power+ AMG would be interesting, I would consider one if it was truly interesting.

[R154]

R154, I dont think your posts are being about wrong or right. I look it as a exploration of ideas to which I think needs to happen more as the ideas are articulated and the conversation develops. Fuck I do this more with my friends in the UK on Whatsapp then here in Canada. (Maybe I need to go to the pub more here..? :dunno:)

Would F1 really be lost without Ferrari..? I have heard this a lot. I prob get slated for this, but I don't think F1 would. If anything I think it would open up the game to mid level players. F1 will go on...just like when Jenna Jameson or Rebecca Lords retire... life goes on..

I don't think your comparison is strictly fair. The barriers of entry as a team owner are significantly higher. The success of Ferrari doesn't prevent another team to join.

A team like Ferrari would only care if a legacy team like Toyota or Honda came in to a rookie season with a car more competitive than the rest of the field.

Losing pillars in a series is absolutely monumental. It would be like. Chevy pulling out of NASCAR.

EDIT: dtm is wholly proped by 3 constructors.

[tonytiger55]

I don't think your comparison is strictly fair. The barriers of entry as a team owner are significantly higher. The success of Ferrari doesn't prevent another team to join.

A team like Ferrari would only care if a legacy team like Toyota or Honda came in to a rookie season with a car more competitive than the rest of the field.

Losing pillars in a series is absolutely monumental. It would be like. Chevy pulling out of NASCAR.

EDIT: dtm is wholly proped by 3 constructors.



Well I see it this way. If Ferrari is not there, then it allows another team to win or get higher up the table = more points, more prizes more money. More moola into research and development into the smaller teams.

Yeah you have the history yada yada etc.

I don't think it is as monumental as people make it out to be. Look at the Premier league football in the UK (yes im talking about saaaawker). Now look at the division below it a lot of the teams there are big clubs with a rich history going back to the early parts of the 19th century. Some of those have won the premier league at one point too. But life goes on. Just because you have history it’s not a given right to be there. People said the same thing with teams not being in the league. Hell there are huge debates on the talk sport radio about this. Look at the Premier league table now, life goes on.

I think when the term ‘F1 without Ferrari’ is mentioned I think too many people stop what they are doing, look into the distance all teary eyed, then going for a long walk into the wilderness looking into the horizon and doing soul searching. Then the wife starts to worry and breaks down when talking to hre friends… ‘he does not talk to me anymore’
79519

Hell no, life goes on…

[R154]

Fair point.

The concern is more that Mercedes seems to be telegraphing that they will be pulling out of ICE motorsports which would be a huge blow to the overall stability of formula 1 as it stands. IMHO of course.

I agree that as the old guard changes it leaves room for new teams to come up.

The amount of technical and financial infrastructure that Mercedes has into motorsport is unfathomable. For them to start walking away from that is a huge signal for not only the series but other constructors to follow suit.

We all would like to believe that change to electric will be slow and progressive, but I contest that it wont.

Who knows, I was vehemently against the forum swapping to a new engine, but this version is fantastic. What do I know anyways.

[rage2]

The concern is more that Mercedes seems to be telegraphing that they will be pulling out of ICE motorsports which would be a huge blow to the overall stability of formula 1 as it stands. IMHO of course.
I think you're reading too much into this decision. DTM's popularity has been trending downwards while costs have been going up. The market for DTM isn't exactly huge, while Formula E is gaining in popularity. It's just Mercedes-AMG moving from a marketing sinkhole to a fresh series that coincides with their new hybrid and electric products in the next couple of years.

Honestly, with the costs of DTM resting between Audi and BMW, I wouldn't be surprised if either one signals their exit and DTM being gone altogether. It's really DTM's own fault with poor international marketing and lack of growth outside Germany and a few other European countries.

[R154]

I think you're reading too much into this decision. DTM's popularity has been trending downwards while costs have been going up. The market for DTM isn't exactly huge, while Formula E is gaining in popularity. It's just Mercedes-AMG moving from a marketing sinkhole to a fresh series that coincides with their new hybrid and electric products in the next couple of years.

Honestly, with the costs of DTM resting between Audi and BMW, I wouldn't be surprised if either one signals their exit and DTM being gone altogether. It's really DTM's own fault with poor international marketing and lack of growth outside Germany and a few other European countries.



Intellectually I know you are correct. As a racing fan I am panicking.

[bjstare]

Its a bit of a shame, I agree with you.

Having said that, as mentioned by others, racing is where we see a lot of new consumer technology get developed. Electric cars are going to get more and more popular, like it or not... as such, E-racing series are going to get more and more popular as well.

There's a reason I bought a sport sedan with an N/A V8 in it this time around, chances to own these cars are becoming rarer with each passing year. My next car will probably be a TT V8 for the same reason haha.

[npham]

My next car will probably be a TT V8 for the same reason haha. E63S wagon? Maybe they will do a BOGO for us?

[killramos]

Come to the dark side. We have cookies.

The V8 was 90% of the decision to get my car over an M3.

[bjstare]

E63S wagon? Maybe they will do a BOGO for us?

Maybe.

Or maybe I'll buy killramos' C63 once he's taken a bath on the depreciation for me :rofl:

[killramos]

I already had the dealer do that for me :rofl:

But as long as we have an understanding :thumbsup:

[rage2]

Porsche pulling out of Le Mans and joining Formula E too.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/28/16055120/porsche-racing-quit-wec-formula-e-electric

Audi, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes. Shit just got real.

[R154]

I am deeply unhappy.

Seriously now, are we witnessing the beginning of the end?

[tonytiger55]

Could be the beginning of F-Zero.. take off the wheels and add giant drone type propellers and its 1990 again..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T5u9nD_I0I

I wonder what the marking angle of the formula E series will be?

[buh_buh]

Ferrari says they'll be competing as well, but most likely under the Maserati name. If they've got enough players, could turn into a decent series.