Venturi Formula E Joins Forces with ZF in Groundbreaking Technology Alliance
The Venturi Formula E team has just announced a long-term technology partnership with ZF, a company known for its expertise in driveline, chassis, and safety technology.
Together, Venturi and ZF will work on developing powertrains and other tech for the Formula E series. This partnership is already in motion, and over time, you’ll see more and more ZF technology in Venturi cars. ZF will actively help design and develop the new powertrains, which will be part of the next generation of Venturi Formula E cars starting from season five (2018-19). This is when FIA’s technical rules will require each driver to use only one car.
Venturi’s founder and president, Gildo Pallanca Pastor, expressed his vision for this collaboration, saying he always wanted Venturi’s electric vehicle expertise to be combined with the resources and innovation of a major automotive company like ZF. He described ZF as a motivated and capable partner.
ZF brings a wealth of racing experience, having produced top-level driveline, clutches, and suspension components for Formula One, World Rally, and Le Mans races. This partnership pairs ZF’s vast expertise with Venturi’s knowledge in electric vehicle powertrains.
ZF’s CEO, Stefan Sommer, highlighted that this collaboration within Formula E motivates them to develop new technologies that could eventually be used in everyday street cars. He emphasized that winning in Formula E would demonstrate ZF’s leadership in motorsport technology.
Franck Baldet, Venturi’s CTO, stressed the competitive nature of the FIA Formula E series and how essential it is to access a wide range of engineering skills, equipment, and talented people. He believes this partnership with ZF will provide these assets and help Venturi grow into a winning team.
Drivers Stephane Sarrazin and Maro Engel are also excited about the partnership. Sarrazin noted that the commitment from a global partner like ZF is crucial for being competitive in the prestigious Formula E series. He believes ZF’s experience in powertrains and electronics will be a huge advantage for Venturi. Engel added that having the best technology and personnel is vital in motorsports, and ZF stands out as an ideal partner for Formula E. He is thrilled to start his Formula E career with this collaboration and hopes to contribute to its success.
