The Frenchman was the Sporting Director of the Formula E organization for a good four years, and before that, he had accompanied the series as an FIA manager since its inception. Espinos’ counterpart as Technical Director is Marc Wewel, who moved from Audi to ABT and serves as Formula E Project Leader.
“We have valued Fred as a trustworthy, open and absolutely competent partner since the founding days of Formula E – regardless of the constellation in which we have worked together,” says ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier. “That’s why we are happy that we managed to get him to join us for our comeback. He knows the series with all its challenges inside out. The same goes for Marc, whom we have known well for a long time and who fits in perfectly to the squad. Both will play central roles in our team with their experience and skills.”
Fred Espinos, who will be working mainly from Kempten from now on, felt at home from the first moment. “You can immediately sense the successful history at ABT and with what passion motorsport is lived by everyone. Everyone puts their heart and soul into their work,” says Espinos. “For me, the start of a new Formula E era is the perfect time for this new challenge. I’ve been warmly welcomed and am delighted to now be able to join in the excitement and fight for success as part of a racing team.”
Marc Wewel has been a member of the ABT Motorsport family since the beginning of July. Exciting months lie behind him. “I was one of the first new employees after the comeback was announced. That’s why the first thing was to build and form a strong team,” says Wewel, who was previously with Audi in the LMP and Formula E projects. “It’s a lot of fun to work with this small but agile and decisive squad at ABT. We still have a long to-do list ahead of us before we go to the official testing and then the first race, but you can feel the anticipation growing in everyone.”
The linchpin at the Kempten Motorsport Center is Roger Köhler. The former team manager of the Formula E team is moving up to Head of Team Management, making him responsible for the organizational aspects of all motorsport projects at ABT. After many years in a wide variety of roles at the world’s racetracks, Köhler now manages operations in the various series across the board from Kempten. “Roger knows all the technical, sporting and organizational aspects of our commitments from his own experience,” says Thomas Biermaier about his colleague from the office next door. “With his overview and cool head, even in the most hectic of times, he is the perfect person for this key position.”
Formula E’s ninth season begins in Mexico City on 14 January 2023. After seven seasons with 47 podium finishes and a one-year break, ABT Sportsline is making its comeback in the World Championship. The team will compete as a customer team using the Mahindra Racing powertrain. The two drivers have also already been determined: Dutchman Robin Frijns and Nico Müller from Switzerland will compete for ABT in Formula E. The two will make their first public appearance in the new car during the official Formula E testing at the Valencia circuit in Spain from 13 to 16 December.