While Mahindra Racing had quite the kick-ass start to the previous season, they were unable to put themselves up there as the races went by. Minor setbacks such as the technical issues or balance with the car hindered both Jerome D’Ambrosio and Pascal Wehrlein’s chances of picking up more podiums. However, they’re back, with a strong driver line-up, a new and improved car and new partnerships such as ZF Friedrichshafen to take on season six of the ABB Formula E (2019/20).
“We are currently the oldest OEM teams, and also the most efficient”
Mahindra Racing has also strategically transitioned its entire workforce in-house and is strengthening the team’s capability from a technology, energy management, simulation and race strategy perspective, all under one roof.
Also read: Mahindra Racing’s season five recap - The ups and downs
Dilbagh Gill, CEO and Team Principal, Mahindra Racing said, “We have worked relentlessly over the last few months to build a robust team and we have our eyes on the championship title. Our strategic decision to move away from a service provider model, to having the entire team in-house, will boost our collective efficiency and performance. We, along with our partners have also worked on all the problem areas and leveraged our technological know-how to enable a consistent and powerful race performance. In addition, we have among the best drivers in this championship, I am confident that both Pascal and Jerome will come out stronger this year.”
Jérôme d'Ambrosio and Pascal Wehrlein will continue to spearhead the team’s on-track charge. The pair joined the Mahindra Racing family last year. D’Ambrosio led the 2018/19 drivers’ championship in the initial part of season 5, having opened his season with a podium and a win; while Wehrlein, with one pole, six further Super Pole appearances, two fastest laps and a podium on his Mahindra debut, proved among the fastest drivers on the grid.
Jérôme d'Ambrosio said, “Last season was full of learnings and positives to remember for me and it is helping me devise a solid strategy for the upcoming season. I look forward to making a strong start to season six and hope to remain consistent throughout the season. I have been interacting with our new team at Mahindra Racing, we have a lot of great people and I’m sure we’ll be a strong force to reckon with, this season.”
Pascal Wehrlein said, “I’m really looking forward to my second season with the Mahindra Racing family and my focus is on a stronger championship campaign. We are looking at the new season with an optimistic frame of mind and are confident that we can strengthen the momentum that we have built in the past.”
Mahindra Racing has also struck new long-term partnerships with ZF Friedrichshafen AG and Green Hills Software which will help to boost the car’s performance, reliability and safety. ZF Friedrichshafen AG, the global technology giant is supporting Mahindra Racing’s season six campaign with chassis development work, shock absorber provision and engineering services while work is already underway for the design and manufacture of the electric driveline for the 2020/21 season. In addition to the electric motor, development includes both single-gear, highly efficient transmission and the matching power electronics. This work builds on ZF’s successful and race-winning work to date in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship through its E-Mobility division, which already employs over 9,000 people worldwide since its inception in January 2016. Additionally, Mahindra Racing is working with Green Hills Software to develop strategically important in-vehicle electronics systems focused on advanced safety and high-reliability while delivering increased software development and performance optimisation capability without compromising system design or future advancements.
The 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E Championship season starts with a double-header in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 22-23, 2019.