ROKiT Venturi Racing Enters Exciting New Era
US investor group takes over ownership of ROKiT Venturi Racing
The Next Step
The Monaco-based Formula E team, ROKiT Venturi Racing is pleased to announce that an investor group, led by Scott Swid and José M Aznar Botella, has purchased the team whilst Team Principal Susie Wolff and Founder Gildo Pastor retain an interest.
The new ownership structure and investment underscore the continued positive momentum of the team since Wolff took over the helm in June 2018 and signifies the start of a compelling new era for the team.
The investment is testimony also to the continued progression and commercial appeal of ROKiT Venturi Racing and the Formula E World Championship as a global business platform.
Susie Wolff will continue in her current role as Team Principal, working alongside recently appointed Deputy Team Principal Jérôme d’Ambrosio.
With decades of global investment experience, Scott and José will reunite on this endeavor to bring a fresh perspective to the Monegasque marque.
The new structure represents a significant step forward for the team, which will continue to race under the Venturi name and will remain headquartered in Monaco.
In Their Words
Gildo Pastor, President, Venturi:
“Two and a half years ago, I put my absolute faith in Susie, her vision for the team, and her undisputed tenacity to bring that vision to life. We have met so many milestones along our journey so far, including our first race victory, our first title partnership with ROKiT, and the addition of our powertrain partnership with Mercedes-Benz in a strategic response to the rapid evolution of the championship. Now we have a new and forward-thinking investor group, led by Scott and José, who see and feel the potential in the series and team as I do.”
“As the focus of my attention moves away from the racetrack to the proving ground where we continue to raise the bar with record-breaking electromobility, and to the sky with our equally pioneering space endeavors, I know that the team is in very safe hands.”
Susie Wolff, Team Principal & Managing Partner, ROKiT Venturi Racing:
“We move forward into our next chapter as a team under the new ownership led by Jose and Scott and I am pleased to become a Managing Partner alongside my role as Team Principal. The investment experience of Scott and Jose will strengthen the team‘s capabilities and provide us with interesting new perspectives and opportunities for the future. This move also demonstrates the positive role that the forthcoming cost cap has to play in the commercial viability and therefore appeal of the sport to investors and partners. I want to also take this opportunity to thank Gildo for his trust and unwavering support. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a visionary and have no doubt that Gildo will continue to push the boundaries of sustainable mobility far beyond what many dare to deem possible.”
Scott Swid, Chairman, Managing Partner, ROKiT Venturi Racing:
“Initially, we were looking at Formula 1 from an investment perspective – but understandably José is a big believer in the potential of Formula E and introduced me to Susie. From our first meeting, I could see the unique business case the sport and the team present. Investing in Venturi, with its heritage as an original team guided by the visionary Gildo Pastor, and competing in an exciting sport that promotes global sustainability and pioneering electric mobility is a great opportunity. Every forward-thinking corporate board in the world is cognizant of the importance of sustainability and is looking for ways to invest in its future. Formula E is in its intermediate stage, having successfully overcome the hurdles of its early period. With this strong foundation, it is a great time to invest when the championship is established and there is still so much growth to come.”
José M Aznar, Managing Partner, ROKiT Venturi Racing:
“I’ve had a unique perspective on Formula E since its inception and I was captivated by the vision to promote a more sustainable future through electric racing from the outset. My first real experience of Formula E was at the finale of the inaugural season in Battersea Park back in 2015 and I could feel the appeal immediately. Even back then, I had the feeling that this was something incredibly special that had the potential to be unstoppable – and I was right. What Alejandro and his team have done has fundamentally changed the way that people think about electric mobility. Gildo was right at the forefront from the beginning and his intuition to bring Susie to the team was spot on. We are investing at a critical time in Formula E’s short history and, whilst there is so much potential for further development and commercial expansion, one of the priorities must be an improved partnership between the sport and the teams. Collaborating with Susie and Scott, my longtime friend and mentor, is a great joy for me personally and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
For further information visit: www.venturiracing.com
RVR Editor’s Note: About ROKiT Venturi Racing
Demonstrating foresight and vision, ROKiT Venturi Racing was the first team to join the FIA Formula E Championship and is one of only a handful of constant participants still contesting the series.
The appointment of Susie Wolff to the role of Team Principal in June 2018 signaled Venturi’s next significant step by strengthening and optimizing its operations in what was becoming an ever-competitive championship.
Under Wolff’s supervision, Venturi recorded its maiden victory at Formula E’s landmark 50th race in Hong Kong which paved the way to the team’s most successful campaign in the series at the close of Season 5.
Ahead of Formula E’s sixth season, Venturi partnered with Mercedes-Benz as its powertrain supplier and announced a three-year title relationship with global telecommunications innovators, ROKiT – a milestone commercial development and an endorsement of the progress of Venturi and the ever-increasing appeal of Formula E as a platform for ground-breaking, premium global brands to showcase their vision.
ROKiT Venturi Racing holds six podium finishes and one victory to date and enters Season 7 with a bright vision for the future in what is motorsport’s premier all-electric and only carbon neutral racing series.