P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Despite the management’s best efforts to save it, McLaren’s Formula E team is about to close. Sam Smith explains why
Over the past three months, Ian James had been optimistic about the McLaren Formula E team’s future, based on previous successes in keeping the team alive. However, around the time of the Jakarta E-Prix in June, his attitude shifted quickly. The potential partnership with Stellantis brands Citroen or Opel, which seemed promising, fell through unexpectedly. Despite significant interest and opportunities, a solution could not be found, leading to McLaren’s last Formula E race looming at ExCeL. Issues arose with the Stellantis talks due to specific autonomy demands over team operations. The Maserati MSG team, facing financial struggles, poses further challenges for Formula E’s stability. The need for strategic decisions to ensure the championship’s sustainability and competitiveness has become apparent.
