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Mercedes, Audi and BMW’s exits across 2020-22 rocked Formula E. But now paddock rumours suggest at least one might return. Sam Smith assesses the speculation
During the pandemic winter of 2020, Audi and BMW made the decision to quit Formula E, leaving only Porsche as the remaining German manufacturer. However, there have been hints that Mercedes, BMW, or Audi might consider a comeback. Representatives from BMW and Audi attended an informal meeting regarding the Gen4 car in Monaco in 2022, and there were talks of Mercedes High Performance Powertrains partnering with Mahindra in Formula E. While BMW seems less likely to return, Audi may be considering a comeback due to unease at the board level about the investment required for their Formula 1 project. Audi could potentially return to Formula E, where they have had success in the past.
