Mahindra Racing looking to add to maiden win at inaugural New York ePrix
Brooklyn will play host to the ninth and tenth rounds of the FIA Formula E season
Mahindra Racing currently lies third in both the teams’ and drivers’ championship
10 July 2017, Oxford: Mahindra Racing heads to New York City for the penultimate double-header of the 2016-17 FIA Formula E season with the aim of continuing its run of strong results.
Fresh from its maiden victory and double podium at the Berlin ePrix, Mahindra Racing is looking to continue to power its M3Electro to more success in the final four rounds of the season.
After three European rounds, the New York City ePrix will be the first overseas race since Mexico City in April before the championship then heads to Montreal for the final round of the 2016-17 FIA Formula E season.
The City that doesn’t Sleep
The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal will play host to the inaugural New York City ePrix – the first-ever FIA sanctioned motor race to compete in the heart of the iconic city. From the track, fans will be able to see both downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
The Technical Challenge
The 1.947 kilometre circuit features a wider variety of different surfaces than previous ePrix for the drivers to tackle, as it moves from traditional streets to car park infrastructure. There is also a mixture of existing street architecture and bespoke corners designed by race organisers over the course of the lap and features two slow-speed hairpins and two slow-speed chicanes linked by four flat-out sections.
An added challenge to the weekend will be the difference in laps between the two ePrix. The 43-lap Saturday race will be more of a sprint, while the 49-lap race on Sunday will require the teams to be more strategic with energy management.
Word from the top
Mahindra Racing is currently third in the teams’ standings with four races remaining in the season after taking a maiden victory and double podium last time out in the Berlin ePrix.
Dilbagh Gill, Team Principal: “After setting ourselves the target of scoring consistently strong results, we’ve more than matched our own expectations race-on-race this season. Our maiden victory in Berlin was the culmination of three seasons’ worth of hard work and determination and we’re confident our strong run will continue to the end of the season and beyond. Bringing Formula E to New York is incredibly exciting and, once again, we’ll be aiming for those podium steps this weekend.”
“We’re confident we can continue our podium streak”
Felix Rosenqvist now lies third in the drivers’ standings after taking his maiden victory, a second place and a second pole position at the Berlin ePrix double-header.
Felix Rosenqvist: “I can’t wait to go racing in New York City. I’ve competed in the United States before but I’m looking forward to racing around the streets of Brooklyn in the M3Electro. It’s a really important race for the team and we’re confident we can continue our podium streak – and hopefully chase down more wins! I’m also really looking forward to exploring the city – I’ve only been to New York once but didn’t get a chance to see the sights.”
“New York is one of the most special cities in the world”
Nick Heidfeld now lies fifth in the drivers’ standings after a hat-trick of third places in Monaco, Paris and Berlin.
Nick Heidfeld: “I’m really looking forward to New York: not only are we really strong at the moment with our most recent victory and podiums but also because New York is one of the most special cities in the world. It’s fantastic for Formula E in only its third season to drive there with Manhattan in the background. It’s new to have so many laps difference between the Saturday and Sunday – we will have a lot more information after the first race, though it will still be a challenge to find the best strategy for the long race on Sunday. After my previous race in Berlin where I started at the back of the grid, I’m hoping to catch up some points to the guys in front as my target is to finish third in the drivers’ championship – which will not be easy but you have to set yourself some high, but realistic, goals.”
All eyes on NYC
The New York City ePrix will be a highlight on Mahindra Racing’s calendar. Mahindra Racing is pleased that Executive Chairman Anand Mahindra will be in attendance at the 2017 New York City ePrix, along with a number of guests and partners including the Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra, Dr Pawan Goenka.
Good work at Goodwood
Since the last race in Berlin, Mahindra Racing has visited the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a bid to claim the open-wheel electric record on the hillclimb. Nick Heidfeld is currently the outright record-holder for the course, which he set in 1999 in a McLaren Formula 1 car.
Up against a field of 42 cars, which included the Le Mans GT class winning Aston Martin, Euro-NASCARs, and a Porsche 911 GTE Cup, Heidfeld was able to set the fifth fastest time in the Shoot Out and with a time of 48.59 claimed the single-seater electric record.