Mercedes might enter Formula E in 2018-19 season

Mercedes has entered into an agreement with Formula E under which, the German automaker has an option to join the 2018-19 season of the all-electric car race. This is part of Formula E's plans to expand the grid to 12 teams for the racing series' fifth season. For the 2016-17 season, Formula E has a 10 team line-up, including Audi Sport, Andretti, DS Virgin, Faraday Future, Panasonic Jaguar, Mahindra, NextEV, Renault, TECHEETAH, and Venturi.

Interestingly, Mercedes has a contract to stay in Formula 1 till 2020. The company has been dominating the series from 2014, and is currently on the verge of its third consecutive championship title. It would thus be interesting to see whether or not Mercedes takes this offer and marks its official entry to the Formula E grid.

Mercedes claims that the Formula E series is important as a technology R&D platform for the future of electric cars in the industry and finds Formula E races relevant for the industry's growth.

Formula E organizers are also planning to switch to a one-car-per-race layout for the fifth season in 2018-19. Drivers currently need to switch from one car to another during the race.