The tenth and final slot in the inaugural Formula E championship has been claimed. Venturi Automobiles announced that it would be undertaking a joint venture with actor Leonardo DiCaprio to enter a team in the world’s first fully-electric Formula race series next year.
Monaco-based Venturi Grand Prix has put forward a bid for FIA approval as the tenth team in the series. Venturi is a manufacturer of electric vehicles, and DiCaprio’s environmental activism is the reason that the series caught his interest. “The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles,” DiCaprio said. “Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”
Venturi currently holds the world land speed record for electric vehicles, and hopes to ultimately become a vehicle constructor for Formula E. Currently there is only one chassis approved for the series. Venturi’s powertrain is based on the 3000-horsepower Venturi VBB-3 electric streamliner that was unveiled earlier this year.
“It’s an honour and a pleasure to welcome the Venturi Grand Prix team as the tenth and final team of the FIA Formula E Championship,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of series promoters Formula E Holdings.
The Formula E series begins in September 2014, and will feature ten races worldwide. Teams from the United States, Asia and Europe have been chosen.
