Double points for Mahindra after “crazy” race

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Mahindra Racing recovered from man-made and mechanical problems to score their first double points finish of the season. After a “crazy” race, Mahindra finished P5 (Bruno Senna) and P9 (Nick Heidfeld), promoting the team to third in the championship.

Radio problems for both drivers added to what was already a chaotic race. Senna’s came in his first car when the fault meant he was able to hear the team but the team were left unable to hear him. A glitch stopped the car whilst the safety car was on track, causing the Brazilian to fall back even further.

Senna said: “It was a crazy race for all of us. We followed our plan and took care of our energy use and battery temperatures. The cars around me were struggling with their temperatures and their efficiency so I was able to regain the places quite quickly in the second stint.”

On the opening lap of the race, contact with Virgin Racing’s Jean-Eric Vergne caused Heidfeld to lose places. The German was able to recover some after a quick pit stop – a little too quick. An early release from the pit stop rewarded Heidfeld a drive through penalty, putting him back in P11. Communications problems and a battery issue that lead to overheating troubled his race further.

“Having no radio means you are limited in what you can do with energy and engine temperatures, so in many ways we were driving blind,” Heidfeld said. “We must be grateful for the points we scored, but in the next race we would hope not to leave so many points on the table.”

Between them, Senna and Heidfeld scored twelve points, raising the team’s total to twenty seven, which puts them third in the championship behind Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport and Renault e.dams. It’s a much better start than last year, when the two races had only gifted them eleven points.

“The M2Electro is showing its potential and with a clean race we should see our cars finish even better,” Dr Pawan Goenka, chairman of the team, said. “We will refine our race day strategy and fix the small recurring problems we have had but overall I believe that this car and the team will show so much more performance in the next race.”

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Images of Bruno Senna and Nick Heidfeld courtesy of Mahindra Racing
Image of Jean-Eric Vergne courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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