Listen to this article Abt, which evolved into the works Audi team during its initial stay in Formula E, withdrew at the end of the 2020-21 season having competed since the first ever season of the championship – winning the inaugural E-Prix in Beijing with Lucas di Grassi. The German squad had won the 2016-17 drivers’ championship with di Grassi during that initial stint, following that up with the teams’ title in 2017-18 as the Gen1 era came to a close. Abt’s return to the series all but guarantees 12 teams on the grid, with the departing Mercedes squad set to be purchased in a deal expected to be announced in the coming weeks. “Formula E has always had a big place in our hearts and we have never made a secret of the fact that we want to be back,” said team boss Hans-Juergen Abt. “After the internal kick-off, we are now talking to our current and …