Can Mahindra Racing maintain their impressive Formula E form into the Mexico City E-Prix?

Written by Jacob Awcock, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri

Mahindra have started the season strong, can they continue this upward trajectory? | Credit: Simon Galloway

Following their most successful start to a Formula E season in São Paulo when they scooped up a double points finish, Mahindra Racing head to the Mexico City E-Prix with their sights set on another strong showing for both their drivers. 

With two red flags flown in a typically chaotic Formula E race, firstly to recover Jake Dennis’ stricken Andretti and another following a scary crash between Pascal Wehrlein and Nick Cassidy, Mahindra were comfortable from the outset, managing their attack modes to head home fifth and sixth respectively. 

Nyck de Vries gained a stellar 15 positions to hand the Indian outfit their best start to a Formula E season in their 11-year history putting the team in fourth place in the team standings leaving Brazil.

Qualifying proved difficult for the Dutchman who failed to progress into the duels and propped up the starting grid in 21st, only ahead of the eventual race winner Mitch Evans. 

Further up, though, teammate Edoardo Mortara had a different story, progressing into the duels, only to be beaten by Maximilian Günther. This meant the Swiss driver would start seventh for the E-Prix. 

De Vries struggled in Qualifying but redeemed himself in the race | Credit: Alastair Staley

Sitting a strong fifth place in the drivers’ championship, Mahindra’s lead driver Mortara was cautiously optimistic following the race, claiming the team had a “decent pace compared to the competition.” He added how the key was to “stay out of trouble for the whole race”.

“We’re all feeling more positive and optimistic after this first race, compared to 12 months ago” explained Mortara, “I’m sure we’ll keep pushing and have some even better results over the coming races.

“I think it was important to finish this race to assess the performance we have against the best. We have a brand new car, so there’s still a lot to come from this package, and finishing helps us understand what to do to keep improving it.”

De Vries echoed his teammate’s views: “We were definitely more competitive in all battles on-track, but there’s also still a lot to learn for us going forward in the races to come. A good start overall. 

“We were a little bit disappointed with qualifying on our side of the garage, we didn't quite get it right but luckily, we did a good job of recovering it in the race, keeping it clean, staying away from all the chaos and I think we can be encouraged by the package we have”.

De Vries returned to Formula E in 2024, following a short 10-race spell with AlphaTauri in 2023 yielding no points. 

The Dutchman, a Formula E world champion with the old Mercedes Mercedes EQ outfit, signed a multi-year deal last season along with teammate Mortara who moved from the Maserati MSG outfit. 

The latter himself brought a wealth of experience to the team, with 13 podiums from 80 race starts, six of those being race wins. 

As the team heads to Mexico, both drivers will be desperate to prove their Brazil form wasn't a fluke | Credits: Alastair Staley

“I’m very proud of the entire team, but it’s important to remain focused, remain humble, and look ahead to Mexico City to confirm the steps we feel we have made,” said team principal Fred Bertrand. 

“This is the start to the season we have been working so tirelessly towards, not just over the off-season, but stretching right back to the beginning of our development program on the Mahindra M11 Electro.”

The team heads to the high altitude of Mexico City, where they will look to close the gap to their competitors and build on the promising pace they have shown so far. 

With Mahindra having secured three poles and three podiums around this configuration, there’s no doubt the Indian origin, Banbury-based outfit will be upbeat heading into the Mexico City E-Prix weekend.