Dieter Gass has joined Formula E in the new role of Senior Technical & Sporting Advisor, reporting to Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, Alberto Longo.
Gass has a wealth of knowledge across several motorsport championships and is very familiar with Formula E. In his previous role as Head of Audi Motorsport, Gass was responsible for the German manufacturer's successful entry into the championship, with highlights that included Audi being crowned the teams' champion for the 2017/2018 Formula E season.
As part of his new role, Gass will play a key role alongside Alberto Longo working in partnership with the FIA on sporting and technical matters to ensure the continued growth and long-term objectives and visions of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship are met. As well as maintaining the high standards of technical development that the FIA and Formula E have upheld since inception, he will also work with the FIA and other stakeholders to maintain and implement a well-defined plan for the future.
"Together with the FIA we have defined a clear roadmap for the sport," said Jamie Reigle, CEO, Formula E about Gass’ appointment. "But then the question is: how does the technology, the race car and adjacent technologies, like charging, serve the vision for the sport? We needed someone with credibility in there who could really drive that agenda for us in partnership with the FIA and make sure that we're delivering an outstanding product."
Despite only being five rounds into Season 9 and the GEN3 era, work is already underway for GEN4 of the championship, which is set to be introduced from Season 13.
Having a figure in place who can liaise with the FIA, teams and manufacturers and look at how potential changes could impact the sporting side, the purpose of the championship, and ‘the show’ - as Reigle describes the increasing entertainment values of events beyond the grid – is crucial.
"You need the timing to be right. Very clearly, as we look to the back end of the decade, we knew we needed someone strong driving that area for Formula E and advising the FIA. We also wanted someone who has had experience working with manufacturers,” continued Reigle. “We also wanted someone who had experience working with Formula E. As you go through the selection process, that level of credibility and expertise becomes even rarer so we're delighted that Dieter Gass is taking on this challenge."
As well as working with Formula E over several seasons, Gass also has a tremendous amount of experience working in endurance racing and Formula 1. Gass worked with Toyota F1 from 2001 before changing teams and operating at Lotus as their Sporting Director for the 2010 season.
"I remember first engaging with Dieter when he was with Audi. Obviously, he's someone with an enormous amount of experience in motorsport, working for a number of manufacturers. He was involved in the Toyota Formula 1 programme, different endurance projects, and then, of course, Formula E. From a pure pedigree perspective, the experience he's had, in terms of developing winning race teams and shepherding the technical projects that attach to those, we're really excited to be able to bring on someone of his calibre."
Helping nurture and blossom the next stages of the championship, Gass will be a valuable asset as Formula E continues to go from strength to strength.
"This is our commitment to make sure that we put the best championship out there," Reigle summarises. "It's also our recognition that, as we mature as a championship, we need to have the very best people within Formula E. Whether it's media distribution, marketing, communications, championship operations, etc. we've invested a lot to strengthen the team and recruit industry leaders from their field.
"This is clearly an area where we felt we could really strengthen and appoint someone who can work closely with Alberto and the FIA on the day-to-day operating the championship on the technical and sporting side, and really level us up. Dieter is our guy and we’re delighted to welcome him to Formula E.”
Jamie Reigle, Chief Executive Officer, Formula E, said:
"Together with the FIA we have defined a clear roadmap for the sport. But then the question is: how does the technology, the race car and adjacent technologies, like charging, serve the vision for the sport? We needed someone with credibility in there who could really drive that agenda for us in partnership with the FIA and make sure that we're delivering an outstanding product."
"You need the timing to be right. Very clearly, as we look to the back end of the decade, we knew we needed someone strong driving that area for Formula E and advising the FIA. We also wanted someone who has had experience working with manufacturers. We also wanted someone who had experience working with Formula E. As you go through the selection process, that level of credibility and expertise becomes even rarer so we're delighted that Dieter Gass is taking on this challenge."
"I remember first engaging with Dieter when he was with Audi. Obviously, he's someone with an enormous amount of experience in motorsport, working for a number of manufacturers. He was involved in the Toyota Formula 1 programme, different endurance projects, and then, of course, Formula E. From a pure pedigree perspective, the experience he's had, in terms of developing winning race teams and shepherding the technical projects that attach to those, we're really excited to be able to bring on someone of his calibre."
"This is our commitment to make sure that we put the best championship out there. It's also our recognition that, as we mature as a championship, we need to have the very best people within Formula E. Whether it's media distribution, marketing, communications, championship operations, etc. we've invested a lot to strengthen the team and recruit industry leaders from their field.
"This is clearly an area where we felt we could really strengthen and appoint someone who can work closely with Alberto and the FIA on the day-to-day operating the championship on the technical and sporting side, and really level us up. Dieter is our guy and we’re delighted to welcome him to Formula E.”
Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said:
"With the maturity of the championship, we're coming to a place in which we needed to reinforce the technical and the sporting capabilities of the people that we have in-house.It’s such a pleasure having someone like Dieter joining the family of Formula E. To have someone of such a pedigree with a big background in motorsport, in both technical and sporting roles in Formula 1, and in Formula E in the past, it definitely was the right decision on our side.”
"This is a joint decision with the FIA to look into a position like the one Dieter is in now. We have a technical working group, we have a sporting working group, and Dieter will be the representative of Formula E in those groups.”
"These two groups report to the FIA and Formula E committee, which Dieter will be part of as well. We're supporting the FIA with another fantastic addition to the team.”
Dieter Gass, incoming Senior Technical & Sporting Advisor, Formula E, said:
“I will be working on behalf of the promoter to interact with the FIA and provide advice on the future direction of Formula E. A big part of my commitment will be in very close contact with all the involved parties and see what the thoughts are on their side. Then we'll bring everything together, everybody together with Formula E and the FIA, and then hopefully make the best decisions for the future."
“I think the impressive thing is that there has been a continuous development, very much from the outset. There was never a standstill and things were moving on. I'm now looking obviously from the outside in this period because I haven't been involved over the past two years, but I think when you look at the situation, the step to the GEN3 and how the cars look on the track, I think that was probably the most impressive step for me at the end of the day. We have seen some races now already in GEN3 and they're all very spectacular."
"I'm now really looking forward to being involved with [Formula E] straight away and potentially have the chance to contribute to the technological development in the championship."