Renault ups involvement, backs e.dams

Renault has announced it will provide title backing to the e.dams Formula E team in 2014/15, becoming the first manufacturer to pledge a formal partnership with a particular entry competing in the burgeoning all-electric series.

The French manufacturer is already a major partner to the Formula E series as the engine supplier, but has upped its commitment to title back e.dams. The team renamed e.dams Renault.

In addition, e.dams Renault also took the opportunity to announce its drivers for the upcoming season, with Sebastien Buemi and Nicholas Prost coming on board.

Former F1 driver Buemi follows in the footsteps of Toyota World Endurance Championship team-mate Stephane Sarrazin in committing to Formula E, while Prost comes on board to serve underneath his father and four-time F1 world champion Alain Prost, who is a co-partner of the e.dams Renault outfit.

"Jean-Paul Driot and I are delighted to be associated with Renault in this new adventure," said Prost. "The choice of Renault as a major partner was a natural step because of the exceptional record it has carved out in motorsport, as well as its unique expertise in the field of electric vehicles. Personally, I am thrilled by the idea of working with Renault on such an ambitious project again and by the prospect of writing a new chapter of our association.

"We are actively preparing for the first races of the season. This week's test at Donington Park is the next step in that process and it will be followed by a busy summer in order to be ready and competitive for the first ePrix in Beijing, on September 13. It's an enormous challenge because this championship is completely new, both in terms of the technology it features and also the race formats. These are very exciting times."

Abt Sportsline's entry has an endorsement from Audi though its will not be as involved as Renault.