Breaking news
Formula E
Formula E "flattered" by criticism from Marko, Carey
Formula E chief executive Jamie Reigle has responded to criticism of the all-electric championship from Chase Carey and Helmut Marko by saying he is “flattered”.
Matt Kew
Edited: Jul 21, 2020, 1:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Speaking to Motorsport.com last year, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said Red Bull had no interest in entering FE “because we’re racing purists” and it did not fit with the brand’s promotional activities.
He added: “As good as we are in marketing, Formula E is for us only a marketing excuse from the automotive industry to distract from the diesel scandal.”
When approached by Motorsport.com last year about Marko's remarks, FE did not want to comment, but speaking as part of a ‘Future Forum’ hosted by BMW last week, Reigle was asked again to respond.
Reigle replied by citing the current manufacturer interest in FE, and the competitive nature of races as to why it was “the definition of sport”.
He said: “I think the important word in that [Marko] statement is ‘purists’.
“There’s a definition of what motor racing was and therefore to people who have that view of what it should be.
“In my mind, the beauty of motor racing is that it is this tradition of sport and technical innovation.
“The technical innovations that came years ago were things like rear view mirrors and seatbelts.
“We believe we’re pushing the edge of it and fundamentally if you look at the number of manufacturers coming into the championship, the drivers, how competitive it is, the fact that most races we have there’s a different winner… to me that is the definition of sport.
“It’s the pinnacle of human endeavour, whether that’s engineering or the sporting side and how you bring that together."
Read Also:
F1 CEO Carey was asked in a CNN interview whether it was categories such as FE or other sports altogether that posed a bigger threat to F1, and he said: “No, actually, it certainly wouldn’t be Formula E.
“I think Formula E is a very different vehicle today, largely a social cause and, you know, it's a street party.”
In response to Carey, Reigle added: “My personal belief is the world is a very big place and there’s plenty of room for multiple championships in motorsport.
“It’s flattering that Chase and Marko decide they should talk about us.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Hartley leaves Dragon FE team with immediate effect
Next article Sette Camara replaces Hartley at Dragon for Berlin
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Latest news
William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
48 min
William Byron and Rudy Fugle really needed this one
It's all over but the dog and pony show as Kyle Larson nears third Cup
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
1 h
It's all over but the dog and pony show as Kyle Larson nears third Cup
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Penalty drops Oscar Piastri out of F1 Mexico GP points
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
Alpine drivers penalised post-race, Ryo Hirakawa scores on F1 debut at Mexico GP
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe