The big news is here, Mahindra Racing today made an announcement that India’s own Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna will be the team’s drivers for the inaugural season of the FIA Formula E Championship. The duo will represent Mahindra when they line-up on the grid at the start of the world’s first ever fully electric championship in Beijing later this year.
Commenting on this development, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Executive Director and President (Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors), said, “Mahindra Racing takes an important step forward on its pioneering journey into electric car racing with the announcement of our driver line-up. We are confident that our participation in Formula E racing would allow Mahindra to remain at the cutting edge of EV technology and help us develop the next generation of electric road cars.”
According to Mr. S P Shukla, Chairman, Mahindra Racing, “Both Karun and Bruno come with very strong racing pedigrees and have successfully competed in a variety of racing series over the past few years. The entire team looks forward to working with both of them to optimize the performance of our racing car over the next few months of testing before the start of racing in September this year.”
Both the drivers of India had enough experience of international racing, so betting on them for the Formula E will be a kind of responsible action for the Mahindra Racing.
Team Principal Dilbagh Gill commented, “Karun and Bruno both represent the perfect balance between experience and youthful enthusiasm for this truly ground breaking championship. I am confident they will do their best to represent Mahindra on the world stage and the entire team is aiming for top results from the start of the championship.”
All the grooming for the races are going on with great enthusiasm at the backend of Mahindra, and it is also reported the team’s first car had been delivered recently. This brand new Formula E is painted with the team’s new livery – a stunning combination of Mahindra red and the colours of the Indian flag.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the Mahindra Racing line up,” said Karun Chandhok. “Mahindra are showing a lot of commitment to Formula E and it’s very encouraging to see the support of senior members of the group to this programme. To be a part of the only Indian team in this series is a real honour for me.”
He added, “It’s also going to be a nice reunion for me with Bruno again. He’s one of my closest friends from the racing world, we respect each other and work well together which will be good for the development of the team.
The in-city races are going to be a great spectacle and the quality of teams and drivers should ensure some fantastic racing.”
Teammate Bruno Senna added, “I’m very proud to be joining Mahindra Racing. There is a real ambition within the team to be leaders in Formula E from the start. It’s also an exciting prospect to be part of such a revolutionary championship from the beginning.”
“There will be a lot to learn very quickly, both for the teams and drivers, in terms of technology and driving styles and for race fans as Formula E will popularise a new type of motorsport across the world. Of course, I already have a great relationship with Karun which will help us work together and move the team forward very quickly.” he added.
