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> I haven't even mentioned how Tesla is the only company that doesn't sponsor at least one (I think they all sponsor multiple) traditionally powered racing team

> I haven't even mentioned how Tesla is the only company that doesn't sponsor at least one (I think they all sponsor multiple) traditionally powered racing teams, whose development goes into premium powered, traditional gas powered automobiles. Not exclusively. Formula 1 and Le Mans use hybrid engines. Formula E and Extreme E are battery electric racing series. Why doesn't Tesla have a Formula E team?

CydeWeys 6y ago
Because motorsport is a giant unprofitable waste of money. The only value they get out of it is advertising their brand, and Tesla doesn't advertise. Why would Tesla spend the minimum tens of millions of dollars to get into what is at best a side diversion from their main business? They certainly have better uses for that capital and talent.
- clouddrover 6y ago
  > Tesla doesn't advertise. Of course they do. They advertised at you and it worked. It's worked so well that you're even parroting their marketing messages for them, including the myth that they don't advertise. > Why would Tesla spend the minimum tens of millions of dollars to get into what is at best a side diversion from their main business? Formula E doesn't cost tens of millions of dollars. Team budgets in Formula E are $10 million. And Tesla doesn't need to own a team. They can be a powertrain supplier just like other car companies are suppliers and not team owners.
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
UnpossibleJim 6y ago
All four also have off road racing teams (those were the only ones I was familiar with, sadly). I don't follow Formula 1 or Le Mans, I'm afraid. As for Formula E, that's a great question. It seems like it should be right up their alley, but I'm almost positive AI is verboten and that would be a non starter for Tesla.
- clouddrover 6y ago
  > but I'm almost positive AI is verboten and that would be a non starter for Tesla Then they can join Roborace which is all about AI: https://roborace.com/ https://roborace.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roborace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roborace Although sometimes the AI is more artificial and less intelligent: https://www.thedrive.com/news/37366/why-that-autonomous-race-car-crashed-straight-into-a-wall https://www.thedrive.com/news/37366/why-that-autonomous-race...
  - UnpossibleJim 6y ago
    Now, that appeals to me more than any actual racing! I always enjoyed the DARPA challenge of autonomous, off-road travel. Thanks for this =)
HeadsUpHigh 6y ago
Because they are known for having fast EVs. Having a team and losing would be a hit on their reputation, but having a team and winning wouldn't change much. So they have a lot to lose and little to gain.
rasz 6y ago
Whats the point when everyone drives the same hardware?
- clouddrover 6y ago
  They don't. Teams have different powertrains.

CydeWeys 6y ago

Because motorsport is a giant unprofitable waste of money. The only value they get out of it is advertising their brand, and Tesla doesn't advertise. Why would Tesla spend the minimum tens of millions of dollars to get into what is at best a side diversion from their main business? They certainly have better uses for that capital and talent.

clouddrover 6y ago
> Tesla doesn't advertise. Of course they do. They advertised at you and it worked. It's worked so well that you're even parroting their marketing messages for them, including the myth that they don't advertise. > Why would Tesla spend the minimum tens of millions of dollars to get into what is at best a side diversion from their main business? Formula E doesn't cost tens of millions of dollars. Team budgets in Formula E are $10 million. And Tesla doesn't need to own a team. They can be a powertrain supplier just like other car companies are suppliers and not team owners.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]

UnpossibleJim 6y ago

All four also have off road racing teams (those were the only ones I was familiar with, sadly). I don't follow Formula 1 or Le Mans, I'm afraid. As for Formula E, that's a great question. It seems like it should be right up their alley, but I'm almost positive AI is verboten and that would be a non starter for Tesla.

clouddrover 6y ago
> but I'm almost positive AI is verboten and that would be a non starter for Tesla Then they can join Roborace which is all about AI: https://roborace.com/ https://roborace.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roborace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roborace Although sometimes the AI is more artificial and less intelligent: https://www.thedrive.com/news/37366/why-that-autonomous-race-car-crashed-straight-into-a-wall https://www.thedrive.com/news/37366/why-that-autonomous-race...
- UnpossibleJim 6y ago
  Now, that appeals to me more than any actual racing! I always enjoyed the DARPA challenge of autonomous, off-road travel. Thanks for this =)

HeadsUpHigh 6y ago

Because they are known for having fast EVs. Having a team and losing would be a hit on their reputation, but having a team and winning wouldn't change much. So they have a lot to lose and little to gain.

rasz 6y ago

Whats the point when everyone drives the same hardware?

clouddrover 6y ago
They don't. Teams have different powertrains.