Leonardo DiCaprio Helps Start All-Electric Racing Team

Leonardo DiCaprio has teamed up with Venturi Automobiles to create the tenth team on the Formula E racing circuit. Yep, I said that right, Formula E.

It’s a new, all-electric racing series that starts its engines in September 2014. (Via YouTube / FIAFromulaE)

But don’t expect to see Leo behind the wheel. Instead, he is the co-founder of the team with Monaco-based Venturi. He said in a statement –

“The future of our planet depends on our ability to embrace fuel-efficient, clean-energy vehicles. Venturi Grand Prix has shown tremendous foresight in their decision to create an environmentally friendly racing team, and I am happy to be a part of this effort.”  (Via FIA Formula E)​

Auto blog Jalopnik is unsurprisingly all snark, saying, “International heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio is adding some much needed gravitas to Formula E. … I bet we see him on the sidelines at every Formula E race.”

But Mr. Wolf of Wall Street isn’t the first big name to join the EV racing series. (Via Paramount Pictures / "The Wolf of Wall Street")

​​Richard Branson’s Virgin Racing announced last week it will take one of the 10 spots because, well, are you surprised? (Via FIA Formula E)​

FIA is organizing the inaugural season of Formula E. That’s the same group behind Formula 1, so expect it to run similarly. 

The season’s 10 races will take place in some of the world’s biggest cities, including Beijing, Buenos Aires, Los Angeles and London. There will be 10 teams, 20 drivers and 40 cars. That breakdown is key because, as Wired says – (Via YouTube / FIAFromulaE)

“Rather than swapping tires or batteries during pit stops, the teams will swap cars, replacing one drained racer for a fully-juiced car.”

So not exactly like Formula 1.