Mahindra Racing has announced its all new driver line-up for the 2018-19 season of FIA Formula E Championship. Pascal Wehrlein, former F1 driver, will be making his Formula E debut with Mahindra racing. His teammate will be Jérôme D’Ambrosio, who has won two races in Formula E. The duo will replace Felix Rosenqvist and Nick Heidfeld. Nick Heidfeld will take up the role as the test and reserve driver. Nick raced with Mahindra Racing for three season, from 2015-2018. He raced for Venturi GP team for the inaugural Formula E season in 2014.
The team also revealed the livery for M5Electro, the second generation race car, in Valencia, ahead of the team’s testing sessions. The Gen2 car sports a red, white and blue livery. The new team kit, which takes inspiration from the national flower and the national animal, was also revealed for the 2018-19 season. The Gen2 racecar will crack the ton in 2.8 seconds, with speeds up to 280kmph according to the team. The Gen2 race car will be quicker than the previous generation race cars and they will last for the entire race distance.
Wehrlein, a German-Mauritian driver, holds the record for being the youngest competitor in DTM, the youngest to win a DTM race and in 2015 became the youngest to win the title at the age of just 20. He has also won numerous accolades in F3 European Championship. In 2014, he became development and simulator driver for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. After his success in DTM, he completed two seasons of F1, for Manor Racing and Sauber F1 team. Now, at the age of 23, Wehrlein will join Mahindra Racing from 2018-19 season.
His teammate, Jérôme D’Ambrosio, was previously racing for Dragon Racing Formula E team for the first four seasons. The 32-year old has raced all 45 races of Formula E since its inception and has won two races. He was also a part of Renault F1 driver development programme. His highest championship finish in Formula E was in 2014-15 season, when he was placed fourth overall. Belgian racer Sam Dejonghe will continue the role he began in November 2017 as simulator and development driver for the team.
“I’m very happy to be joining Mahindra Racing. I had the first meeting with Dilbagh in the summer and met the team for the first time at a test event. It’s a small team but with really high ambitions and I have the same high ambitions. I want to achieve the best possible results and I have a feeling the team is the right environment for me. I’m looking forward to the season and I will give my best.”
“I’m super excited to join Mahindra Racing. I’ve known some people in the team for more than ten years and haven’t managed to work together with them yet and now we are going to have that opportunity, which is a great prospect. I think we have a great team and a really dedicated bunch of people with the possibility of doing something great so I am really motivated to make sure that we achieve the results that the team deserves. I’ve known Dilbagh for the last four years and what the team has achieved in that time is amazing and has shown great progression and I want to make sure that continues.”
“I’m excited to enter a new chapter of my career by agreeing a multi-year agreement to become a special advisor to Mahindra Racing. At the same time I will be reserve and test driver and will attend Formula E races. Having been part of the successful growth of the team for three years now, and experiencing such motivated and qualified people in the team, it is a natural transition to further assist the team based on my motorsport experience. I am not ending my race driving career but I am happy that this new role offers me a diverse future, which fits together perfectly with my position as vehicle development consultant and ambassador for Automobili Pininfarina.”
“I am truly thrilled to be able to announce what I believe is one of the most exciting and dynamic driver line-ups on the grid, packed full of talent. We are delighted that Pascal will join the team as he begins a new racing challenge in Formula E. As a young and enthusiastic yet incredibly experienced driver, he is a valuable addition to the team. Having Jérôme join Mahindra Racing with his years of experience and multiple wins in this championship is something we are also extremely excited about. He is very motivated to bring success to Mahindra and has already been working hard behind the scenes preparing for the season. Finally, we could not be happier that Nick remains within the Mahindra family. His contribution to the team has been immeasurable. He was fully committed from day one and his new role will ensure he continues his valuable input. Last season we had a very strong start and were in championship contention. To attract and retain drivers of this calibre shows Mahindra Racing’s future potential and intention and I cannot wait to get out on track in Saudi Arabia to begin our 2018/19 campaign.”
Mahindra Racing is the only Indian team to compete in ABB FIA Formula E, the world’s first all-electric racing series. To its credit, the team has three race wins, 15 podiums, six pole positions and has 516 points overall.