Peugeot Motorcycles to enter Moto3 in 2016

In a recent announcement, Mahindra declared that they will re-enter the Moto3 grid in 2016, with the Peugeot name. Mahindra Group acquired 51 per cent stake in the French brand late last year and will run two MGP3O machines next year. The Peugeot MGP3O will be campaigned by Saxoprint Racing Team Germany in the hands of experienced French rider Alexis Masbou and 21-year-old Scot John McPhee. 

Mahindra Racing CEO Mufaddal Choonia added, “We are a growing force in the Moto3 paddock, and the addition of the Peugeot Motocycles entry to our line-up will have a number of technical benefits for Mahindra as well as brand benefits for Peugeot Motocycles. I am confident that the extensive work that we are undertaking on the MGP3O at our new technical centre in Italy will result in greater on-track success for both Mahindra Racing and Peugeot Motocycles.”

In the 2016 season of Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing, the Peugeot MGP3O will compete as a constructor in its own right despite sharing the mechanical DNA with the Mahindra Racong bikes on the grid. 

Mahindra’s campaign with Peugeot will be their second stint in Moto3. The Indian brand started its campaign in 2011 with the Moto125 championship and continued till 2014. Although this year, Mahindra didn’t quite have their own team, it entered the championship as a full scale independent constructor supporting four teams on the grid.