EA announces the formation of Team Need for Speed, which seems to be geared towards promoting their Need for Speed racing franchise, saying this is "an entertainment program that brings together the top street, drift, GT racing, time attack cars and drivers." The purpose of this is not entirely clear, in spite of the fact that it is explained: "Together, this collective of racing influencers will carry the Need for Speed brand into a variety of events, films, competitions and more." One thing that's clear is that this is a racing sponsorship, as word is:

Team Need for Speed consists of an all-star roster of drivers renowned for their skill on the track and passion for the automotive lifestyle including Vaughn Gittin Jr. (Drift/USA), Matt Powers (Drift/USA), Edward Sandström (GT Racing/Europe), Patrick Söderlund (GT Racing/Europe) and Mad Mike Whiddett (Drift/USA, New Zealand, Japan). Additional drivers will be announced in the future. The season kicks off this week as three of the Team Need for Speed drivers hit the track. On April 9, Mad Mike Whiddett and Matt Powers compete in the ‘Streets of Long Beach’ Formula D event and on April 10, Patrick Soderlund and teammate Edward Sandström will compete in the VLN Series’ Stunden-Rennen race at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany.