Audi Steps Away From WEC, Refocuses on Formula E

For the past 18 years, Audi has dominated endurance racing around the world. In that time, the German automaker took home 106 victories. 13 of those wins came from the iconic 24 Hours of LeMans race. But everything must come to an end.

This morning, Audi's chairman of the board, Rupert Stadler announced that the automaker would terminate its commitment to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the end of this year. The company would turn its focus to Formula E, the all-electric racing series.

“We’re going to contest the race for the future on electric power. As our production cars are becoming increasingly electric, our motorsport cars, as Audi’s technological spearheads, have to even more so,” said Stadler.

Audi will be working with Team ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport on developing a Formula E car, starting in the current 2016/2017 season. The German automaker plans on building out a full factory-backed team in the future.

Audi isn't leaving gas-powered racing entirely. It still plans on competing in the Germany's Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series, where it took home the manufacters championship this year.

Pic Credit: Audi Motorsport