Twitter Facebook Youtube

Putrajaya ePrix Ratings: Mahindra Racing

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Over the course of the season, ERN senior editor Laurence Thorn will be rating the performances of all drivers and teams on each ePrix weekend.

This time around, he takes a look at Mahindra Racing and their two drivers, Bruno Senna and Nick Heidfeld, in Putrajaya.

[/vc_column_text][cq_vc_tabs contentcolor1=”#1a1a1a” contentbg1=”#ffffff” tabstitle=”Mahindra Racing – 7.5/10,Bruno Senna – 7.5/10,Nick Heidfeld – 7/10″ tabsicon=”” titlecolor=”#5da73c” titlebg=”#ffffff” titlehovercolor=”#ffffff” titlehoverbg=”#5da73c” rotatetabs=”0″][tabitem]

Mahindra Racing – 7.5/10
Double points from Indian squad but more pit issues

After Beijing had seen Mahindra take their first podium of all time, Putrajaya saw them taking their first ever double points finish in team history – never before had both of the red, white and black machines finished in the top ten in the same race. However, it could have been much more if Bruno Senna had not suffered from a car glitch that dropped him down to 16th under the early safety car period, and if Nick Heidfeld had not been released early from the pits after his car swap – this led to a drive-through penalty for the German driver. After the lengthy pit-stop that prevented Senna scoring points in China, this was the second pit issue in two races for Mahindra. If they can get their pit stops right, expect even more points from the squad this season, as the M2Electro looks rapid.

Average Rating (2 races): 7.75

[/tabitem]
[tabitem]
MahindraDriverRatings2

Bruno Senna (qualified 9th, finished 5th) – 7.5/10
Strong points finish despite multiple glitches

Following on from a Beijing ePrix in which he had shown promising pace but failed to score points after an issue in the pits, Bruno Senna must have thought he was suffering from even more bad luck at the half-way stage in Putrajaya. First of all his radio failed, and then a glitch stopped his M2Electro on track, while the field was circulating under the safety car. This dropped him down the order to 16th at the resulting restart, but what followed was an impressive drive from the Brazilian. He used his battery well, and was one of five drivers to stop on lap 18 after over half of the field had already carried out their car swaps. In the second stint, he took advantage of issues suffered by cars up ahead, but was also able to pass team-mate Heidfeld on track, and on the very last lap took P5 away from Daniel Abt to end the day on a positive note.

Average Rating (2 races): 7.25

[/tabitem]
[tabitem]
MahindraDriverRatings3

Nick Heidfeld (qualified 10th, finished 9th) – 7/10
Quick Nick defies both start collision and penalty to score two points

Following on from that famous podium in Beijing, the first in the history of the Mahindra Racing team, Heidfeld was brought back down to earth in Putrajaya. Qualifying in P11, two places behind team-mate Senna, the Mönchengladbach native was involved in a collision going into turn one with Jean-Eric Vergne and Jacques Villeneuve. While he was able to continue after spinning, this dropped Heidfeld to the back of the field. He was unperturbed by this, passing NEXTEV’s Oliver Turvey before spending the rest of the first stint conserving energy. Like Senna, he was able to pit on the 18th lap, and gained some places in the pits. However, this gain was due to a quick release, and Heidfeld had to serve a drive-through penalty for this infringement. Before taking the penalty, Heidfeld spectacularly saved his car from oversteering into the wall, but was passed by Sam Bird. Following on from his drive-through, he was passed by Senna, da Costa and Piquet as he suffered from overheating, finishing in P9 and grabbing two points.

Average Rating (2 races): 7.75

[/tabitem][/cq_vc_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Images courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]