Schaeffler has continued it proud association with both new technology and motor sport by playing a key role in victory at the first FIA race series with electric-powered vehicles in China.

A car in the famous green and yellow Schaeffler livery triumphed at the inaugural FIA Formula E series race in Beijing’s Olympic Park.  Schaeffler is as the exclusive technology partner of Team ABT Sportsline, who’s driver Lucas di Grassi, took the chequered flag after a thrilling race.

Schaeffler Technology Director Prof. Peter Gutzmer explained why this is such a unique opportunity for the component manufacturer. He said, “Motorsport is not only ideally suited to accelerating the further development of new technologies, but it energises your emotions with the topic of electric mobility in a fascinating way. We are going to support the further development of the race car and its components with the know-how and experience of our engineers in the future.”

Team MD Hans-Jürgen Abt commented, “We’re delighted that in Schaeffler we’ve got a perfect partner on board for the challenges we face in Formula E, and from their success in DTM we’ve come to know the passion with which all Schaeffler employees support motorsport.”

ABT Sportsline is the only German team in an international field that includes entries from the USA, India, China and Europe. Former Formula One stars Alain Prost and Jarno Trulli have entered their own teams, as well as entrepreneur Richard Branson and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Formula E events will not be held on permanent race tracks, but on street circuits in the heart of major cities including Putrajaya in Malaysia, Punta del Este, Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Miami and Long Beach in the USA, Monaco and Berlin before the series finishes on June 27, 2015 in London.