World premiere of new trophy for best driver at Formula E “voestalpine European Races” presented in Vienna

In exactly nine days’ time, on April 13, 2019, the first of the “voestalpine European Races” will be held in Rome, with the Austrian technology group thus giving its name to some of the most iconic races within the fully-electric ABB FIA Formula E street racing series.

After the five races in Rome, Paris, Monaco, Berlin, and Bern, the best driver of the “voestalpine European Races” will be handed the trophy at the European finale on June 22 in Bern. The trophy, unveiled today in Vienna, was specially designed and produced by voestalpine using a 3D printing technology. voestalpine is one of the technology leaders in this process, in which fine metal powder is melted and applied in layers to create highly complex components. The metal powder used for the trophy was from voestalpine’s Kapfenberg location, and 3D printing of the trophy took place at the Group’s in-house Competency Center in Düsseldorf. 3D-printed components are used, for example, in motor racing and aerospace applications and exemplify the voestalpine Group’s powers of innovation. The new trophy is made of 5,500 metal layers, each half the thickness of a human hair. Weighing 156 g and measuring 25 cm in height, the metal structure is a genuinely lightweight component.

Live at the unveiling of the trophy were also Formula E driver Lucas di Grassi, who is currently driving for the German team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, and Formula E Sporting Director Frederic Espinos. “The introduction of the ‘voestalpine European Races’ is an indication of the importance of Formula E to the development of new technologies for e-mobility specifically in Europe,” says di Grassi. “For us drivers, this is an additional challenge, but also an incentive to win this prestigious trophy alongside the overall Championship. The specially produced trophy is unique and truly an additional motivation,” adds di Grassi, who was Formula E Champion in the 2016/2017 season and with 29 podium positions in Formula E is one of the most successful drivers.

Frederic Espinos, Sporting Director of Formula E, is also excited about the upcoming European races: “Formula E is an ideal platform for the development of technological innovations in e-mobility,” he comments. "The partnership with voestalpine and this special prize is also in itself an innovation and unique to the ABB FIA Formula E Championship. I’m very much looking forward to seeing who will be the first to be entered on the list of best drivers of the ‘voestalpine European Races’ and who will lift the voestalpine trophy in Bern,” he says.

voestalpine generates around 50% of its Group revenue of EUR 13 billion in the future-oriented market of mobility, and e-mobility is playing an increasingly important part within that field. The Group already provides advanced electrical steel as a pre-material and components for even more efficient e-motors. By producing ultra high-strength lightweight automotive components, the Group is also already making a key contribution to increasing the range of e-cars.

* This award is not linked to the championship standings or sporting regulations.