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Closed Circuit: Mahindra Racing in London

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Mahindra Racing took their best ever position in the first London race when Bruno Senna took to the second step of the podium, but team mate Nick Heidfeld narrowly missed out on his second podium of the season after an energy miscalculation.

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It was a mixed first race for Mahindra. Senna was one of those to benefit from the rain in qualifying, managing to get into the Super Pole shoot out for the first time and starting second on the grid.

Heidfeld had a trickier time on a wet track, and was forced to start eighth.

Both drivers had relatively quiet races. Senna, though not able to keep up with pole sitter Nico Prost, built up a gap to the chaos that was happening behind him. Heidfeld lost positions to Lucas di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi early in the race, but managed to cross the line in eighth.

A post race penalty for excess use of power when using the FanBoost he had been awarded dropped Heidfeld down to thirteenth.

Sunday saw more frustration for the Mahindra team. Though there was no rain to help them out in qualifying this time, Heidfeld had managed to get into the Super Pole shoot out and started the race fifth. He was promoted to second after the first lap collision, but soon fell back down to fourth. The German had been pushing for the podium at the end of the race and was given the call to push as he closed in on Vergne.

Push he did – a little too much, as Heidfeld ran out of energy before the end of the race and, though he crossed the line in fourth, he was penalised and was classified seventh.

Senna also had a difficult race, starting thirteenth due to issues with the temperature of his tyres. Slowly, the Brazilian picked his way up through the field and benefitted from penalties and crashes from those around him. He was classified sixth.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Bruno%20Senna%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%227%3B%209%3B%209%3B%2016%3B%2017%3B%2010%3B%2013%3B%2015%3B%202%3B%2012%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%223%3B%2011%3B%200%3B%2013%3B%209%3B%205%3B%2018%3B%2016%3B%208%3B%205%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Oliver%20Rowland%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%2016%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22sandy-brown%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%230088cc%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: race” tab_id=”1461512175763-831c2584-42cf5043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Bruno%20Senna%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2213%3B%205%3B%2016%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%205%3B%209%3B%2015%3B%202%3B%206%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%223%3B%209%3B%200%3B%207%3B%208%3B%204%3B%2012%3B%207%3B%2013%3B%207%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Oliver%20Rowland%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%200%3B%2013%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%3B%200%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22sandy-brown%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%235aa1e3%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: race”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The team says: “…“” tab_id=”1461512258191-0360a250-a68c5043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_column_text]

Saturday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Team Principal Dilbagh Gill: “This is a great result for the team. It bookends the season so far with strong podium finishes but it is also nice to build on the maiden win of our Mahindra Racing Moto3 colleagues last weekend. Though Mahindra’s race programme is still young, these results are a statement of intent of the level of performance we will expect in the future.
“I was thrilled to see Bruno on the podium today. Bruno has made a significant contribution to the team since its formative days and it is right that he finally achieved his first Formula E podium and also recorded the highest ever finish for our team.
“With one race remaining this season, we retain fifth in the FIA Formula E Championship but we have closed the gap to the team in front. Tomorrow we will be working hard to find every tenth we can and give the team ahead of us a run for their money.”
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Sunday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Gill: “This has been an emotional weekend for the team. It’s easy to look at today’s result as disappointing but it will still stand as yet another high double points finish and a continuation of the reliability and strong race strategy, which has been our great strength all season.
“We ticked every box we set out to this season. We have scored podiums, multiple double points finishes and fastest laps, and gained many championship positions compared to our season one result. We will take a moment to reflect on that achievement, but only a brief. We have every intention of continuing this upward trajectory. It feels odd to retire the M2Electro now but the preparation of the M3Electro is already in its final stages.
“I would like to thank the team for their ingenuity, passion and relentless drive that has aided us in our mission to establish Mahindra Racing as a strong competitor on the world stage. We now have two seasons under our belt and as far as I am concerned, season 3 has now begun.” [/pullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Mahindra%20Racing%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2215%3B%2027%3B%2027%3B%2034%3B%2039%3B%2061%3B%2065%3B%2073%20%3B%2093%3B%20105%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Bruno Senna” color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” color=”green” c_icon=”chevron” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Senna’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_column_text]

Senna started the first race of the weekend the highest he’d ever started a Formula E race. The Brazilian made it into the Super Pole shoot out for, technically the second time this season, but this time wasn’t disqualified. He managed to qualify second, starting on the front row of the grid.

From there, it was an uneventful race for Senna. The e.dams car of Nico Prost was too fast to compete against and the Brazilian settled for second place. He managed to build up a gap to the battle for third place, which was cut short by a late safety car. Still, on the restart, Senna was able to control his race and came across the line in second, his best ever finish.

Race two wasn’t quite as stunning for Senna. He struggled to get heat into the tyres during qualifying and started thirteenth. From there, it was a tough race, a technical problem with downshifting making that even harder. Still, the Brazilian pushed up through the field, setting the fastest lap of anybody actually competing for race positions.

Senna also benefitted from the retirements of those ahead of him and the penalty his team mate was given. He was classified in sixth.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Starting position; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%222%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%2013%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2212%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2012%3B%2012%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%3B%209%3B%209%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Senna: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers – Saturday” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:27.563.

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Best time in FP2: 1:24.530.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:24.279.

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Best time in the race: 1:27.868.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 71.3s (1.3s gap)

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Best time in FP1: 1:25.515.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:24.171.

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Best time in the race: 1:26.892.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 71.5s (1.5s gap)

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Saturday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It feels fantastic to achieve this long overdue podium. Of course, I was lucky to complete my qualifying lap before the rain started to fall but today was about consistency and sticking to the plan. This is a difficult circuit to drive on the limit, especially in mixed weather conditions but we knew we had a set up that would allow us to set a competitive qualifying time and gave us the best start in the race.
“This is yet another strong results which must be put down to each part of our team connecting the dots. Each incremental gain throughout the season has built up to this strong finish to the season. Of course, I’m aware that the British weather favoured me today, but that doesn’t mean I won’t go out there and try to do exactly the same thing tomorrow.”
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Sunday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Considering all the chaos that was going on around me, I am very happy that we came away with a strong final result. We had great pace in the car and learned a lot from yesterday’s race. We have a consistent car and increasingly strong race pace. I was disappointed not to start from further forward but I was behind a slower car during qualifying and couldn’t get the tyres working before my 200kW hot lap.
“Unfortunately I suffered from a technical issue during the race which caused my car to go into false neutral on some downshifts, so I needlessly lost positions but I am happy to come away with this strong result and more points for the team. We can be so proud of what we achieved this season.”
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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Bruno%20Senna%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%220%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2011%3B%2012%3B%2022%3B%2024%3B%2026%3B%2044%3B%2052%20%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Nick Heidfeld” color=”green”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion style=”outline” color=”green” active_section=”1″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Heidfeld’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_column_text]

Heidfeld started the first race of the weekend in eighth after heading out onto a slippery track during qualifying. From there, he would have to defend against both championship contenders as they tried to make their way up through the field.

It didn’t last too long and both drivers soon made it past the German. From then on, it was a quiet race for Heidfeld as he tried everything to make up places. Including using the FanBoost he was awarded. Unfortunately for the Mahindra team, his FanBoost use wasn’t quite legal as he went over the allowed amount of power. He crossed the line in eighth but was handed a 50 second penalty, which dropped him down to thirteenth.

It looked like race two would be better for Heidfeld. After starting the race in fifth, he was promoted to second early on in the race.

It was a tough ask to keep the place, though, and he dropped down to third before the midrace car swap, when Jean-Eric Vergne managed to get past and into the podium positions.

The second stint was a battle to keep on Vergne’s tail. In the closing stages of the race, the call came through for Heidfeld to push hard, forgetting about energy management. It was a miscalculation, and the German ran out of power just before the chequered flag. He was handed a penalty, dropping him down to eighth.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Starting position; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 19; 20; 21; 22; 23; 24; 25; 26; 27; 28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%228%3B%208%3B%208%3B%209%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2012%3B%207%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%209%3B%208%3B%208%3B%208%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%225%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%203%3B%205%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Heidfeld: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers – Saturday” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:28.718.

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Best time in FP2: 1:24.784.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:32.367.

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Best time in the race: 1:28.169.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 70.9s (0.9s gap)

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Best time in FP1: 1:25.916.

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Best time in qualifying: 1:23.343.

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Best time in the race: 1:27.691.

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 71.6s (1.6s gap).

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Saturday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It was a tricky day because of the unpredictable weather. This track is so tricky to overtake on and a strong starting position is so important and the rain made that especially difficult. All the street circuits we go to are different and the challenge is to work methodically to find the best set up for each track. The circuit was very similar to last year and is very bumpy.
“Tomorrow, we have an opportunity to race again in similar conditions. We can learn from today and make some changes so I am optimistic for a strong day tomorrow. It is a shame to lose some positions and some points due to the penalty but we must accept the decision and move on and aim to end the season with the strong result we have proven we are capable of.”
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Sunday:

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I’m disappointed to have lost an opportunity to finish on the podium today. It was decided I should push on the final lap to catch the car in front and in doing so we exceeded out allowed energy use. It’s always tough to swallow a disappointing finish, especially when losing a potential podium but overall we can be proud of the results we have had all season and the gains we have made in all areas.”[/pullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572853b-7c50f0b2-1c90″][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Beijing; Putrajaya; Punta del Este; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Long Beach; Paris; Berlin; London 1; London 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2215%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2023%3B%2027%3B%2039%3B%2041%3B%2047%3B%2047%3B%2053%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Championship standings”][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

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Images courtesy of Rajan Jangda

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