In a Parisian studio near its headquarters in Versailles, DS Automobiles and its partner TECHEETAH reaffirmed its commitment to Formula E and to continue its streak of double-championship wins, this time to become the first Formula E World Champions as the championship embarks on its seventh season and its first as an FIA World Championship in January 2021.
After a record-breaking season 6 with a back-to-back double championship win, the team has been busy ensuring the continued success. It was announced that she will start the season with the championship winning DS E-TENSE FE20, as one of the options offered by the championship as an outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mark Preston, DS TECHEETAH Team Principal:
“What a season we had this year! These are memories that we will cherish forever, but as we look back with warmth and pride in our hearts, the team is already looking forward and have been rather busy behind the scenes with the preparation for season 7. If you look at the results from the previous two seasons, we couldn’t really aim for anything else but another double championship win, but this time as the first World Champions of Formula E.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the partners who have been with us along the way and extend a warm welcome to the partners who have joined us for the coming season. Our partners play a pivotal role in our team, both technically and financially, and our partnerships are based on the mutual goal of continuous evolution and a will to be the best in what we do. That winning mentality is key for us as it echoes everything that we do, and it lives within our partners, suppliers, team and beyond. That is what we are taking with us into Season Seven and we are feeling very well equipped and strengthen by their involvement.”
Xavier Mestelan Pinon, DS Performance Director:
“As a result of the health crisis, Formula E amended its regulations and instead of homologating a new car ahead of the season start, we’ve been given the opportunity to extend the homologation until the end of the 2021 World Championship. We’ve chosen to take a new approach given this opportunity and we have developed two cars simultaneously. Given the tremendous results from season 6 and the DS E-TENSE FE20, we will start Season Seven with an upgraded version of the championship winning car and introduce the DS E-TENSE FE21 at the Rome E-Prix. Season 7 is a new challenge for us but our objectives remain the same – fighting for victories and titles.”
Béatrice Foucher, DS Automobiles CEO:
“DS Automobiles has made its mark in Formula E history with a new double title in season 6 against the big names in the automotive industry. Thanks to the men and women involved in this innovative program, we have become a benchmark in 100% electric competition. I’m proud of our team and our drivers for their fantastic performance; grateful of the entire commitment of DS teams; and of course, thrilled that the 2021 season will start very soon.
“We started our Formula E journey in 2015, as the first premium manufacturer in the series. Formula E is one of the most exciting forms of competition and became the first sport in the world to be certified "carbon net zero” in 2020.
“Moreover, Formula E has the business commitment to electrification, and there is no place we’d rather strengthen our commitment as electrification is at the heart of DS’ strategy. The entire DS range is electrified, with DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, fully electric and the DS 7 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, plug-in hybrid version. Our flagship DS 9 with plug-in hybrid 360hp is due on the market soon and we see a real interest and appeal in this segment as 33% of our sales in Europe this year have been electrified vehicles. This has allowed us to achieve something outstanding: we had the lowest CO2 levels in the market at the end of sept 2020, with as little as 81g per km.”
Antonio Félix da Costa, Reigning ABB FIA Formula E Champion:
“To have won my first Formula E title has given me so much more fire to win another one. JEV and I, and all the other Formula E drivers who do give us a good run for our money, are going to have some epic battles this season, that’s for sure and I can’t wait. We are going for that first World Championship title and we’ll do everything in our power to get there. I’ve always said that cars that look quick, are quick – and just look at the livery for this year. You wouldn’t want to see that in your wing mirrors! I really can’t wait to show you guys what we’ve been working on, it won’t be in Valencia but do keep an eye out in Santiago. We’ll be going for it!”
Jean-Éric Vergne, ABB FIA Formula E Double-Champion:
“Since I joined DS TECHEETAH, I’ve seen first-hand how this the team always continues to improve itself. Our season 6 results proved our competitiveness, and I am extremely excited to show what we’ve got in store for season 7. We always aim to keep improving and re-inventing ourselves, our approach and most importantly our long-term vision. The team did an incredible job and I look forward to testing again in Valencia ahead of the season opener next January in Santiago.”
Next up for DS TECHEETAH is the official Formula E test in Valencia, Spain, on 28th November to 1 December before the cars are being shipped to Santiago for the first race of the season 7, which will commence in Santiago, Chile, on 16 January 2021.
