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Former F1 players sign on for Formula E

Formula E is set to become the Formula One of electric car racing, and the organizers have wasted no time setting a 10-race calender for 2014 and courting top F1 teams to invest in the new series. The efforts have paid off, with several teams, including some with F1 connections, already committed to the race series. In recent weeks, two more teams with strong F1 ties have announced their participation in Formula E, for a total of six.

Four-time F1 champ Alain Prost announced a partnership with Jean-Paul Driot, founder of GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 team Dams, to enter Formula E as team e.dams. "I am very happy to be a part of the Formula E adventure," says Prost. "Being able to actively participate in the development of this new technology, which is 100-percent electric, is extremely motivating."

Former F1 team Super Aguri will enter the series as team Super Aguri Formula E, headed by a partnership between former F1 driver and team owner Aguri Suzuki and Formula E Holdings. "Today is a new chapter for the Super Aguri name and I'm proud that our team will represent Japan in the inaugural Formula E series," says Suzuki.

Formula E is set to kick off with its first race in September 2014, which takes place in Beijing. For information on the race series' newest teams, check out the press releases below, where you'll also find a small Super Aguri Formula E photo gallery.
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SUPER AGURI JOINS FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

Japanese team led by former F1 driver to make comeback in new global electric racing series

TOKYO, JAPAN (1 November, 2013) - Legendary Japanese racing driver Aguri Suzuki and Formula E Holdings have today reached an agreement that will see Super Aguri Formula E become the sixth team to enter the new FIA Formula E Championship.

The Tokyo based team, a major market for electric vehicle technology, is a brand new venture for Suzuki, who brings with him a wealth of Formula One experience as a driver, team owner and mentor. An icon of Japanese motorsport, Suzuki spent eight seasons as an F1 driver between 1988-95 – competing in 88 Grands Prix - and was team owner of Super Aguri F1 which competed in the sport from 2006 until 2008. Suzuki currently oversees Autobacs Racing Team Aguri (ARTA), which competes in the Super GT series in Japan and runs entries in both the GT500 and GT300 categories.

Super Aguri Formula E now becomes the championship's second team to be based in Asia after China Racing and the sixth of 10 teams that will be put forward to the FIA for final approval by its World Motor Sport Council. They join leading IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, UK-based Drayson Racing and e.dams – a joint venture between Alain Prost and Dams founder Jean-Paul Driot who were announced just last week.

"Today is a new chapter for the Super Aguri name and I'm proud that our team will represent Japan in the inaugural Formula E series," said Aguri Suzuki, Executive Chairman of Super Aguri Formula E. "Zero emissions racing is a progressive concept for the motorsport industry, and after more than 40 years as both a driver and team owner, I see Formula E as a great stride towards the future.
"Japan has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge innovation and technology and our participation in the series will enable us to promote and develop electric vehicle technology not just in our region, but also on a global scale."
Joining Suzuki at Super Aguri Formula E is Mark Preston, who assumes the role of Team Principal. The pair last worked together at Super Aguri F1 where Preston assisted in the team's formation and worked as technical director. Also onboard are Peter McCool as Technical Director and Ferry Spijkerman as Commercial Director.

Mark Preston said: "It's great to make a return to racing in Formula E. Global trends in connectivity, collaborative consumption and the electrification of drivetrains, support our overall vision to turn mobility into a service, rather than a product, especially in the urban setting, where Formula E races will take place."

Beginning in September 2014, Formula E is a new FIA racing championship using fully-electric single-seater race cars competing in the heart of 10 of the world's leading cities – including Beijing, Los Angeles and London.

Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings, added: "We're very pleased to have Super Aguri join the FIA Formula E Championship and to be welcoming yet another high profile name onto the grid. Japan has a long and celebrated motorsport heritage, as well as one of the most prominent and largest car industries in the world, so it's a real honour to have a Japanese team and we hope this will lead to interest from manufacturers and possibly even a Formula E race there in the future."

For more information on the FIA Formula E Championship visit www.fiaformulae.com or for further details on Super Aguri Formula E log onto www.superaguri.com.


ALAIN PROST & JEAN-PAUL DRIOT TEAM UP FOR FIA FORMULA E CHAMPIONSHIP

PARIS, FRANCE (24 October 2013) - Four-time Formula One World Champion Alain Prost has today joined forces with Jean-Paul Driot, founder of leading GP2 and Formula Renault 3.5 team Dams, to enter the FIA Formula E Championship - competing as new team e.dams.

The new team launch, held at the L'Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées in Paris, was attended by racing legend Alain Prost and Jean-Paul Driot, together with FIA President Jean Todt and Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings.

e.dams now becomes the fifth team to sign an agreement with Formula E Holdings to compete in the new fully-electric race series which begins in September 2014 and features 10 races through the heart of some of the world's leading cities. e.dams joins leading IndyCar outfits Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing, UK-based Drayson Racing and Chinese team China Racing as one of the 10 teams to be put forward to the FIA for final approval by its World Motor Sport Council.

The new Formula E team will be supported with logistical and technical assistance by top European squad Dams (Driot Associés Motor Sport). Based near Le Mans, Dams boasts almost 25 years' experience with numerous team and driver titles to its name including three International F3000 Championships, two A1GP titles, two Auto GP titles, two GP2 Asia titles and one team and two GP2 drivers' titles. The squad has also expanded into Formula Renault 3.5 where last weekend it claimed the team and drivers' title in only its second season.

With four F1 titles (1985 & 86, 1989 & 1993), 51 GP victories and 108 podiums to his name, Alain Prost remains one of the sport's most successful racing drivers with the Frenchman very much looking forward to being a part of the new zero emission series: "I am very happy to be a part of the Formula E adventure. Being able to actively participate in the development of this new technology, which is 100% electric is extremely motivating. As we've seen in other championships, 2014 will see a move towards more sustainable racing, proving more than ever that motorsport is the benchmark for the future."

"Getting involved with the FIA Formula E Championship was an obvious choice", added Jean-Paul. "Being the race enthusiast that I am, I was immediately convinced by this new concept of using fully electric single-seater cars and believe it will shape the future of motorsport. The implementation of new technologies, in the heart of the most beautiful cities in the world and in front of a young audience, lays the path for a new form of motorsport, which is innovative and respectful to the environment. I am extremely proud to be a part of this new challenge."

Alejandro Agag added: "It is a great honour for me to be welcoming Jean-Paul to the FIA Formula E Championship together with Alain Prost, one of the biggest worldwide names in motorsport. The experience, pedigree and track record of both Jean-Paul Driot and Alain Prost is unparalleled and I know e.dams is going to have a big impact on the series. It's also fantastic to have such highly-established figures show their commitment to clean energy and sustainable mobility, and to join us in creating an electric future."

For more information on the FIA Formula E Championship visit www.fiaformulae.com.

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