Podium Finish For Mahindra Racing In Marrakesh

Mahindra Racing team has acquired a consecutive podium finish along with its first ever pole position at the inaugural Marrakesh ePrix; undoubtedly a great achievement. The second round of the 2016-17 season FIA Formula E Championship was held this weekend in the city of Morocco in Africa for the first time. The Marrakesh ePrix is a semi-permanent street circuit and is the longest in Formula E history. The 2.971km track puts, the energy management of the cars for each team, to the test.

Mahindra Racing driver Felix Rosenqvist, finished third after leading the race from pole position for an impressive 27 laps. The young driver currently has 19 championship points under his belt. And, it is the second time the 25-year-old Swede driver has raced a Formula E car. Hence, the achievement is all the more commendable. The pole lap was the first ever for Mahindra Racing. Such achievements highlight the team’s all-new season-three powertrain development for the M3Electro. 

Commenting on the pole position in the Marrakesh ePrix, Felix Rosenqvist said: “Looking back at how the day went in Marrakesh, taking pole position was something really unexpected. We knew we had really good pace and the guys have been putting a good package together for qualifying especially. However, I’m still a bit shocked that we were able to get pole in just my second weekend in Formula E. Starting the race from pole, if you had told me before the race that I would finish third, I would have signed up for it immediately!”  

“There was great communication with Andres [Castillo – race engineer] on the radio; the team was there all the time supporting me and I think we nailed the race as well as we could have done. The first stint was fantastic, and in the second stint, there were a combination of small things that meant we weren’t quite as competitive. That was maybe the sad part, but in the end, we have to be proud. Nick took a podium in Hong Kong and we now we have the pole, podium and fastest lap in our bag. Going back to street circuits next year I am feeling confident.” he further added.

Nick Heidfeld is the other driver of the team who has scored a podium finish at the season’s opening race in Hong Kong. For the second round, the German driver managed to qualify in 11th position. Some bumping during the beginning of the race restricted his advancement through the grid. However, he later completed the race in ninth position. 

On the Championship board, adding the points achieved by both drivers, Mahindra Racing now stands at the second position in the Teams’ Championship. The round 3 of the FIA Formula E Championship will be held on February 18 with the Buenos Aires ePrix in 2017.