Ryan Walkinshaw is eyeing an entry into the FIA’s Formula E Championship, which will stage its inaugural series for electric powered single seaters next year.
If Walkinshaw Racing does commit to the class, its entry would not be expected to make the grid until at least 2015.
The maximum 10 teams have already entered for the 10-round championship, which will be run on street courses including London, Los Angeles, Beijing and Rio de Janeiro.
The inaugural season kicks off in September and runs through until June, 2015.
“We’ve probably left it a bit late for next year but we will be putting a pretty good case together for 2015,” Walkinshaw told Speedcafe.com.
“I think it’s interesting and exciting, innovative form of motorsport.
“It will take a while before it takes off properly but there will be some good events and there’s already some good teams involved in it.”
It is believed that the foundation teams have each signed a three-year term, ensuring that Walkinshaw would have to cut a deal with one of the existing squads if he is to enter before 2017.
Formula E will run control Dallara chassis and Michelin tyre package with 10 tests – six pre-season, two in-season and two post-season – allowed.
Already confirmed Formula E squads include Andretti Autosports, Dragon and Drayson Racing, Super Aguri and Audi Sport Abt.
Another outfit, Venturi Grand Prix, includes partners headed by actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Gildo Pallanca Pastor, the found of the French electric car maker Venturi Automobiles.
“There is already a fair amount of support from Renault and Audi going in,” he said.
“People will be interested just to go and see the first couple of races. It’s something different.
“It’s rare in motorsport to be a part of something that is brand new.”
Walkinshaw said a prime mover in the possible Formula E venture was to enable the Anglo-Australian racing operation to foster a ‘green’ theme.
“We will make a final decision (whether we compete) going into halfway through next year,” Walkinshaw said.
“It’s exciting and would give Walkinshaw and environmentally friendly angle which we don’t have at the moment.
“Once they open up the championship to allow tampering of the cars and development in the battery side it gives us an understanding of that technology where we are pretty far behind.
“And maybe we can put some of that technology into road car stuff as well.”
Formula E entries
Drayson Racing
China Racing
Andretti Autosport
Dragon Racing
e.dams
Super Aguri
Audi Sport Abt
Mahindra Racing
Virgin Racing
Venturi Grand Prix
2014/2015 calendar
Round 1: September 13, Beijing, China
Round 2: October 18, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Round 3: November 15, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Round 4: December 13, Punta Del Fista, Uruguay
Round 5: January 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Round 6: February 14, Los Angeles, USA
Round 7: March 14, Miami, USA
Round 8: May 9, Monaco
Round 9: May 30, Berlin, Germany
Round 10: June 27, London, UK
