The Trulli Formula E team could be purchased by a major OEM. Such a move may also open up the opportunity for the squad to run a first generation powertrain for the rest of the 2015-16 season.

Asked in an exclusive interview with Current E whether the team is likely to be competitive this season, series chief Alejandro Agag said: “Trulli has made a very brave try to have a powertrain. I think they invested a lot of money to create a powertrain but it’s difficult to create one of these powertrains, because it’s not only the electric motor, it’s particularly the control systems, the software, the inverter. It’s not so easy. I cannot see them being competitive this year, no.”

There are plans afoot to help the struggling squad, with the most likely option being to partner with, or sell the team to, one of the two OEMs that Agag says are poised to enter the sport: “We’re working for a solution for them. They might be one of these options of a team that could facilitate the entry of a manufacturer.”

Under the regulations, the Trulli team cannot revert to the first season powertrain now that the second season is underway. However, there may be a loophole: if the squad is purchased mid-season, the new owners may be able to use a different powertrain. Asked whether the team could make use of the first season powertrain, Agag answered tellingly: “Not as the Trulli team, no.”

“I am really grateful to Jarno,” Agag went on. “He came really early into the championship. He’s been great for the championship. They really tried. Sometimes in racing this happens. Racing has beautiful moments and not so beautiful moments.”