Mercedes-Benz ready for Formula E debut with EQ Silver Arrow 01

Mercedes-Benz may have had a very successful Formula 1 career, having won five constructor's championships, seven driver's titles and scores of race wins. But can they repeat their F1 success in Formula E?

This is the car they'll be competing with in the all-electric, open wheel series in the coming 2019/2020 season. Called the Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow 01, it recently made its world debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Mercedes' Formula E challenger produces 340 PS during qualifying and in FanBoost mode. During the race, it produces 272 PS in normal mode and 306 PS in Attack Mode. The EQ Silver Arrow 01 will use a 52kWh battery which will keep it running throughout the length of the race. Should the figures be familiar, that's because it is at a similar performance level to that of its competitors in Formula E for a level playing field.

For the time being, Mercedes says that car is only wearing a special 'teaser livery' with the final race livery to be revealed at a later date. That said, the teaser livery design does look similar to the one found in their 2019 Formula 1 challenger. On the Formula E car though, the body is finished in black. However, a blue streak continues running the length of the body. Towards the rear of the body, there is a noticeable star motif, which is also found on the Formula 1 car.

“The countdown to our entry into Formula E has now officially begun,” says Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Toto Wolff. “Formula E is going to be a completely new playing field for us. But we are looking forward to the challenge of demonstrating the performance of our intelligent battery-electric drives in motorsport and of giving a positive boost to the EQ brand.”

The team says that a lot of work is still needed before the EQ Silver Arrow 01 contests its first race later this year. The question now then is whether Mercedes will be able to enjoy the same Formula 1 success in Formula E considering they will be racing with teams and manufacturers who have more experience in the sport.