Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and FIA president Jean Todt are open to future combined Formula 1 and Formula E events on the same weekend.
This weekend, the electric racing series is competing in Monaco, just two weeks before F1 holds its first Grand Prix on the streets of Monte Carlo in two years following last year’s cancellation.
So far, FE has done all it can to avoid comparisons to F1 but with both series promoting a message of sustainability, the idea of having duel races does have appeal.
“If, one day, synergies are possible, you could already drive together on a race weekend, for example on the street circuits,” Wolff told SpeedWeek.
“I think that’s a great thing, but it needs the approval of all stakeholders and that is – as we know – not easy in motorsport.”
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Former driver Mark Webber agrees, noting the different emphases of the two categories.
“I think it’s a no-brainer in the future,” the Australian told The Race.
“Formula 1 has a big electrical component but it’s washed up in all the aerodynamics and individuals, the Verstappen’s the Hamilton’s, so if you don’t have that you’re not winning a Grand Prix.
“Here [in Formula E] all the propulsion is electric.
“So when is this junction going to happen? How long are we going to have combustion engines in racing for? I think still a long while.”
As for FIA president Todt, his only requirement for a combined F1/E weekend would be the latter keeping its current identity.
“’I’m not against the idea,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We could have a weekend with both, on a street circuit. It can work, but in general, Formula E has to keep its specificity, its futuristic flavour.”
Longer-term, talk of F1 and FE eventually merging as electric technology catches up is often talked about and Formula E founder Alejandro Agag is among those sure it will happen.
“Formula E is very different in terms of the level of prestige and audience to Formula 1, but I still think the future is a merger between them,” he said via Car Advice.
“I don’t know when this will happen and if the shareholders will want to do it, but I think Formula 1 needs to make the transition to electric and if it doesn’t do something with Formula E they can only do that in 19 years because that’s when our licence ends – supposing they get a licence – and that’s too late.
“We got the rights for 25 years, we’ve done six and we have another 19.”