Closed Circuit: Mahindra Racing in Buenos Aires

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After a podium finish in Marrakesh, Mahindra Racing met with a rather frustrating race at the Puerto Madero circuit. But despite both drivers falling back on the grid after a series of problems, Felix Rosenqvist managed to score extra championship points for the Indian team by completing the fastest lap.

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After a strong race in round two, Mahindra Racing’s efforts in Buenos Aires were hampered by a series of disappointments, yet the problems the Indian team faced was compensated when Felix Rosenqvist managed to complete the fastest lap towards the end of the race on lap 31, leading them to clinch bonus championship points.

The Swede lined up P8 while team-mate Nick Heidfeld lined up P12 on the starting grid. Both cars showed good energy management right up until Rosenqvist faced technical issues during the car change pit stop that caused him to be held for over a minute in the pit box. Meanwhile, Heidfeld also faced disappointment when he faced a drive-through penalty for a premature pit stop time. The German finished 15th while Rosenqvist came home in 18th place.

The team retains its third place standing in the championship behind Renault e.Dams and ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2211%3B%2011%3B%2012%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%226%3B%201%3B%208%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: race” tab_id=”1461512175763-831c2584-42cf5043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%223%3B%209%3B%2015%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2215%3B%203%3B%2018%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%2C%22custom_color%22%3A%22%23f7be68%22%7D%5D” title=”Team mate comparison: race”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The team says: “…“” tab_id=”1461512258191-0360a250-a68c5043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_column_text]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We are disappointed with the result because it is not reflective of what Mahindra can do. Free practice was going quite well, we demonstrated the pace of the car but qualifying is becoming really important in this championship.[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Overall, Felix drove a fantastic race and picked up the fastest lap again showing the M3Electro is where it needs to be. Nick’s energy strategy was also really good and he was on track for a strong top seven finish after starting in P12 if it wasn’t for the minimum pit timing issue. We now must look towards the next race in Mexico City and continue to aim for the top step of the podium.”

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Dilbagh Gill, Team Principal[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Mahindra%20Racing%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2216%3B%2036%3B%2037%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=”NICK HEIDFELD” 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=”Heidfeld’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_column_text]

After a rather unremarkable qualifying session landed Heidfeld in P12 on the starting grid, the German showed strong pace throughout the early stages of the race and good energy management in the M3Electro.

The German had stayed out longer on the track up to lap 20, which allowed him to conserve more energy in the second car and opened up overtaking opportunities.

His efforts, however was hampered by a drive-through penalty for not adhering to the safety measures for minimum pit time which led him to finish in P15.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][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; 34; 35; 36; 37″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2212%3B%2012%3B%2014%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%208%3B%202%3B%2014%3B%2014%3B%2014%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2013%3B%2012%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2014%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%3B%2015%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Heidfeld: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:10.756s (P8)

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Best time in FP2: 1:09.846s (P13)

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Best time in qualifying: 1:10.152s (P12)

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Best time in the race: 1:10.910s (Lap 33)

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 54.615s (-0.385s)

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”It was a disappointing day finishing outside the points. We were strong in free practice but qualifying was not optimal, however we still had a chance to score some good points during the race. I went to lap 20 in the first stint, one lap longer than most of the field, with more energy in the second car I caught them quickly and overtook a lot of them.[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”Unfortunately we undershot the minimum pit time by a really small margin but the rule is there for safety reasons. After the drive through penalty, I came out in P15 and almost caught up to the cars in front but it was not possible to improve on the position.”[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2215%3B%2017%3B%2017%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=”FELIX ROSENQVIST” 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=”Rosenqvist’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_column_text]

After showing a stellar drive in round two in Marrakesh by bagging a podium, Rosenqvist met with a rather frustrating race due to technical problems in the pits when his car failed to power up due to battery issues.

The Swede, who was held for over a minute in the pits managed to get the M3Electro going again but failed to catch up with the others.

Although finishing at a rather frustrating P18, the rookie still managed to bag extra bonus points for Mahindra Racing by taking the fastest lap at the Puerto Madero circuit on lap 31.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][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; 34; 35; 36; 37″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%228%3B%206%3B%206%3B%206%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%207%3B%206%3B%201%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%3B%2018%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Rosenqvist: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:10.512s (P6)

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Best time in FP2: 1:08.957s (P2)

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Best time in qualifying: 1:09.681s (P8)

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Best time in the race: 1:09.467s (Lap 31, fastest lap)

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Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 117.566s (+62.566s)

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The race ended in a little bit of frustration for us here in Buenos Aires. It went really well in the first stint on a very long strategy working to save a lot of energy but we were still really strong lap time-wise. Aiming for the top five, we had planned to do a really quick second stint but in the pit stop we had a BMS error that meant that the car wouldn’t start.[/perfectpullquote]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”The only thing we could do was push for the fastest lap of the race. It’s one point to take away, but still very frustrating to lose a stronger finish. It was a weekend where we were really strong again in every session. We have to learn it the hard way, but the next time we want to be on the podium again and there should be every possibility to do that.”[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572f818-eaa56baf-1bce”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires” values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%221%3B%2019%3B%2020%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 Mahindra Racing

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