Top performance in motorsport – pioneers in volume-production development
Motorsport is in Schaeffler’s DNA. The company has been a fixture on the international motorsport scene for decades. From the very beginning, Schaeffler’s wide-ranging involvement has reflected the company’s self-image as a versatile and high-performance global player in the field of mobility worldwide.
Schaeffler pioneers motion to advance how the world moves. That is why motorsport and volume-production development go hand in hand at Schaeffler. Schaeffler distinguishes itself from worldwide competition thanks to its innovations, agility, and efficiency, and the company puts precisely these strengths to good use in motorsport.
Innovative technologies help our partner teams to achieve new record times, victories, and titles. Responding quickly and precisely to new challenges – and ideally foreseeing them before they occur – means valuable fractions of a second on the racetrack and valuable advantages for our customers in volume production.
Motorsport thus means much more to Schaeffler than victories and triumphs. For us, motorsport is the ultimate proving ground for new technologies – from internal combustion engines through to all-electric race cars. After all, we know that if our technologies make a convincing case on the racetrack, they will do the same on the road.
From the road to the racetrack
The findings that Schaeffler gain from motorsport are continuously integrated into research and development activities for volume production and, more and more frequently, vice-versa.
For example, Schaeffler's hydrostatic modular clutch actuator was used in the DTM for the first time in 2022. The system made its debut in the series production for various models of major customers two years ago.
With the DTM innovation taxi since 2023, Schaeffler is providing insights into the latest and future technologies that could soon be introduced to motorsport and series production. The innovation taxi has drivers such as former Formula 1 driver Markus Winkelhock at the wheel and will present fascinating technology at every DTM race.
#WhyWeRace
We love competition and test our technologies under extreme conditions to make them ready for volume production. We share our partner teams’ excitement and celebrate every one of their successes. The celebrations do not end at the racetrack, however, they continue in our development laboratories, in our manufacturing facilities, and on our test rigs. After all, every time we successfully transfer our motorsport expertise to volume production and achieve outstanding quality and reliability, we know that we have done everything right. That‘s #WhyWeRace.
Racing series and commitments
Schaeffler has been actively involved in the DTM for many years. The focus for 2023 is on Schaeffler brand ambassador Marco Wittmann in the new BMW M4 GT3.
Schaeffler is involved in numerous areas of motorsport. From the successful history as a pioneer in FIA Formula E, to the Formula 1 Academy with Carrie Schreiner, to Formula Student: Schaeffler is in action around the world.