Nyck de Vries scored the first podium of the season for Mahindra Racing at the Monaco E-Prix last weekend, showcasing the teams’ consistent development. Mahindra team principal Frederic Bertrand believes its FE car is now in a “competitive” area but not at the maximum yet.
Bertrand on FE car development with big gaps in the calendar
Speaking to the media including Pit Debrief during the Monaco E-Prix, Mahindra team principal Frederic Bertrand was asked if it’s harder to find consistency in the first half of the FE season with the big gaps between the races. Bertrand explained that Mahindra used the early gaps for car development to feel ready for the busy second half.
“Initially I was super afraid of that period where the races will come very much in a high rhythm, because you cannot work so much in between races. But at the end, for us, what was good, is that we had time to develop and do the first few races.
”Then we had the big gap between Saudi and the US which gave us a lot of time to do additional development and confirm the things we had in mind and everything.
“We can now come in the second phase where we can capitalise on what we have developed and what we had identified in the first two, three races.
“I’m quite happy that we have that rhythm because it looks like we have a car which is OK.
“So I would not tell you exactly the same if I was still thinking that we were very far from what we wanted. Now we are getting closer. We are still not exactly at the maximum of the car.
“But definitely we are in an area where we are competitive. So now it’s good to have a lot of opportunities to score good points. And then let’s see at the end of that campaign where we are.”
More venues, less double-headers
When asked by Pit Debrief about adding more races to the Formula E calendar, Bertrand was quick to reply, “I’m not a super fan of double-headers. I think having more venues is interesting to increase the footprint of the championship, touch new countries, definitely India.”
“So yes, I’m quite in favour of having two, three, maybe four additional venues and maybe one less double-header. For me, that would be something more interesting.”
He brings up an idea, of having on double-header at the start and on at the end of the season. “In general, I think for me two double-headers, one at the start, one at the end, and in between a bit more venues to visit more countries, I like the idea.”
The season so far for Mahindra
Mahindra kicked off the season in Brazil strongly, but had a little hiccup in Mexico. However, in Jeddah the team was back in points positions, gaining together on the Top 3. Edoardo Mortara scored a strong P5. Finish, while de Vries struggled slightly and couldn’t continue the double-points streak.
Three weeks later, Formula E arrived in Monaco for the first ever double-header in the principality. It’s been a strong start to weekend for Mahindra, due to de Vries’ podium in Race 1. Mortara missed out on the podium, finishing P4. Race 2 was a slight struggle with the rain, de Vries scored points nonetheless.
Seven rounds completed, and Mahindra is third with 91 points to its name, 35 points adrift from Nissan.
