DS Performance to collaborate with MerConcept

• The competition arm of DS Automobiles, which has competed in Formula E since 2015, is launching a collaboration with MerConcept founded in Brittany by François Gabart

• MerConcept, specialised in offshore yacht racing, designs and produces boats equipped with ultra-modern technology

• DS Performance and MerConcept have a shared mission to scale the peaks of sporting performance, with a desire to highlight technical know-how

DS Performance and MerConcept – who take part respectively in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and the planet’s most prestigious yacht races (Vendée Globe, Transat Café L’Or, Route du Rhum) – are launching a mutually beneficial new collaboration.

Backed by engineers who are passionate about technology and performance, this collaboration centres around shared technical solutions and the pursuit of knowledge, as well as the optimisation of working practices.

For the engineers working in the design studios and spearheading development within the two companies, the main focus will be composites expertise, the design of mechanical components, data processing, digital simulation, and the software environment.

Both seeking the ultimate in performance when it comes to their respective global disciplines, the competition department of DS Automobiles and the yacht racing team founded by French skipper François Gabart share the goal of mutually enhancing their research and development work.

Whether it’s on the Formula E circuits used by DS Performance, or the high seas travelled by MerConcept, the creation of new synergies is vital to foster innovation, win races, and imagine the mobility of the future.

Simon Merchet, Stellantis Motorsport Development Director:

“The size of the boats created by MerConcept is obviously very different to our electric single-seaters, and we don’t use the same methods to validate our parts, but there are still many similarities between these two worlds. The approach from the design studio, materials, simulations, and testing are both elements that we have in common, while the relentless pursuit of ultimate performance lies at the heart of both challenges!”

Antoine Gautier, Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue Team Manager:

“The machines designed by DS Performance drive, while ours fly above the sea, but we really share many common challenges. For both of us, there is the design phase, followed by development, and then implementation…. with a skipper in our case and a driver in theirs. It’s clear that we can learn a number of things from their expertise in Formula E, and vice versa!”

Key figures since DS Automobiles entered Formula E:

• 137 races
• 4 championship titles
• 18 victories
• 55 podiums
• 26 pole positions

PRESS CONTACTS

DS Performance : Nathalie Dumas  +33 (0) 6 60 26 10 37 –nathalie.dumas@external.stellantis.com

DS Automobiles : Benjamin Maigre  + 33 (0) 6 75 58 80 41 – benjamin.maigre@dsautomobiles.com