Mercedes confident of balancing F1 and Formula E

Toto Wolff is confident that Mercedes can marry efforts in both Formula 1 and Formula E from next year, having ditched a successful DTM programme in order to switch to the all-electric series. Mercedes will take the place of their affiliate HWA on the FE grid in 12 months' time.

The Silver Arrows have dominated F1's V6 Hybrid era, winning the last five drivers' and constructors' championships.

While F1 struggles to attract new manufacturers, FE has no such trouble, with Nissan, BMW and HWA debuting in the fifth season of the series, which begins this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

Although Wolff remains uncertain of where exactly FE sits alongside other motorsport series, he is looking forward to Mercedes making their way in the competition next year.

"We did DTM for 30 years," Wolff said. "We love touring car racing and I think it's a fantastic sport. But the times are changing.

Finally some racing action!
First day on the track for @svandoorne and @GaryPaffett in Riyadh.@FIAFormulaE #HWA #HWAAG #FormulaE pic.twitter.com/y9dxYdxfKW — HWA AG Official (@hwaag_official) December 14, 2018

"The automotive industry is changing and it's becoming more electrical. What Alejandro Agag has done with Formula E, how it's grown, it is spectacular. It's a playing ground for many OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) these days.

"Is it racing or is it more an event? But we like what it is today and we are excited and curious to join the series in 2019 and see if we can be successful or not.

"It's about electrification, it's about being downtown in the cities, attracting new audiences and having Formula E on one side as an exciting start-up and on the other side Formula 1 as our Mercedes AMG as the global sport works well for us."

Two-time DTM champion with Mercedes Gary Paffett and former McLaren driver Stoffel Vandoorne will race for HWA in 2018-19, with Vandorne also taking on simulator duties for Wolff's F1 team.

MORE: Bottas doesn't fear Ocon rumours
MORE: 'Schumacher has chosen between Ferrari and Mercedes'