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Closed Circuit: Mahindra Racing in Montreal

04/08/2017 , , ,
Closed Circuit: Mahindra Racing in Montreal

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A crucial weekend lay ahead of the Mahindra Racing squad as they came to Montreal looking to consolidate third place in the standings, having lost ground to DS Virgin Racing following Sam Bird’s double victory last time out in New York.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”THE TEAM” 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=”The team’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512664883-ac9eb41a-467a5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

It was advantage Mahindra Racing following qualifying as Felix Rosenqvist guided his M3Electro into Super Pole while Nick Heidfeld started the race from 14th, ahead of the DS Virgin duo of Jose-Maria Lopez and Sam Bird in 16th and 18th, respectively. Rosenqvist ran in the top four for the majority of the race and looked likely to finish on the podium as he did his best to conserve his energy for an attack in the final stages. However, the Swede found the barrier on lap 31 and limped home to tenth place, promoted to ninth following Sebastien Buemi’s (Renault e.dams) exclusion. Meanwhile, Heidfeld was looking to make up for a below-par qualifying as he started to rise through the order. On lap 14, he made a move down the inside of Loic Duval (Faraday Future Dragon Racing), only for the Frenchman to force him to the inside wall, promptly ending the Mahindra’s race.

Sunday

The final race day of the season proved to be a much more usual and successful day for the Indian team, with both drivers making an appearance in Super Pole following the qualifying sessions. Heidfeld had a scrappy flying lap to take P4, while Rosenqvist muscled his car around the Montreal circuit to take his third pole position of the season ahead of Bird, who he was in fierce competition with for third in the standings. Rosenqvist led off the line and held position through the car change phase, looking like a serious contender to take his second victory of the season. However, a hard-charging Jean-Eric Vergne (TECHEETAH) proved too much for the young Swede who eventually conceded the lead and settled for second place, with it taking third place overall in his rookie year. Heidfeld looked likely to make it a double Mahindra podium in the early stages of Sunday’s race, but with a tightly-contested ePrix keeping the podium position proved to be tricky, with the German eventually dropping down to fifth behind the DS Virgin pair. It wasn’t enough for their rivals, and Mahindra took their best ever championship finish of third place, only beaten by three-time champions Renault e.dams and ABT Schaeffler.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Team mate comparison: qualifying” tab_id=”1461512175704-af49c202-f1e45043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2; New York 1; New York 2; Montreal 1; Montreal 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%226%3B%201%3B%208%3B%209%3B%206%3B%207%3B%203%3B%201%3B%2017%3B%202%3B%204%3B%201%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2211%3B%2011%3B%2012%3B%205%3B%208%3B%206%3B%204%3B%2020%3B%206%3B%205%3B%2014%3B%204%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-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” style=”modern” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2; New York 1; New York 2; Montreal 1; Montreal 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2215%3B%203%3B%2018%3B%2016%3B%206%3B%204%3B%201%3B%202%3B%2015%3B%202%3B%209%3B%202%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%2015%3B%2012%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%2010%3B%20%3B%203%3B%20%3B%205%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-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_column_text]

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Thank you to everyone who has been part of our team, supported and followed us this season. The Mahindra Racing has done an incredible job to deliver our best-ever results, secure third in the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships and make us the most improved team in the paddock. It’s because of their hard work that we have come this far!”[/perfectpullquote]

[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 (points)” tab_id=”1461512214611-352b21f1-c5375043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2; New York 1; New York 2; Montreal 1; Montreal 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Mahindra%20Racing%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2216%3B%2036%3B%2037%3B%2037%3B%2060%3B%2087%3B%20127%3B%20149%3B%20149%3B%20182%3B%20184%3B%20215%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=”Felix Rosenqvist” 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=”Felix Rosenqvist’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512310664-cbeb96df-4af05043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

Yet another Super Pole for the Super Swede looked to set Rosenqvist up for an assault at his second victory of the season as he started race one of the Montreal ePrix from third place. He dropped out of the podium positions as the Techeetah of Stephane Sarrazin found his way past the Mahindra at the midpoint of the race. Rosenqvist stayed with the leading group and looked to conserve his energy for a late attack. However, things turned pear-shaped for the 25-year-old on lap 30 as he clipped the wall at the final chicane, turning his car into a crab as he fell down the order, crossing the line in tenth place. With Buemi’s disqualification promoting the Swede to P9, Rosenqvist took home two points as he started preparations for the final day of the season.

Sunday

A stellar performance in qualifying saw Rosenqvist put in a familiar lap as he threw his car around the corners to take the final pole position of the season ahead of championship rival Bird. The Swede nailed the start to lead away and hold first place through the opening stint and the car swaps, before losing ground to a maiden victory-chasing Vergne and conceding the lead on lap 29. Second place was still enough for Rosenqvist to beat the DS Virgin of Bird to third place in the standings, completing a tremendous rookie season that saw him take three pole positions and a victory.

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512310716-c8bf2e2d-dbb95043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][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%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%223%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%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%209%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%221%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%202%3B%2010%3B%202%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%201%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%3B%202%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%5D” title=”Felix Rosenqvist: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers – Saturday” tab_id=”1461512375203-dc62694e-d0395043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:23.922 (P7)

Best time in FP2: 1:22.394 (P3)

Best time in qualifying: 1:23.232 (P4)

Best time in the race: 1:25.982 (lap 30)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 1:01.233min (4.233s above minimum time)

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Best time in FP1: 1:22.607 (P5)

Best time in FP2: 1:21.183 (P1)

Best time in qualifying: 1:22.051 (P1)

Best time in the race: 1:25.396 (lap 35)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 57.594s (0.594s above minimum time)

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It was a good to come back so strongly from the race yesterday, I made a mistake but it meant we were under pressure from Sam Bird today to secure third in the Drivers’ Championship. We got the pole though! I was very impressed by the team; Nick and I sat down with them for a long time last night and figured out how we needed to improve qualifying. We made it happen and that was the key to starting from pole and controlling the race initially. JEV probably had the better strategy and was hungrier for the win. I spoke with my engineer about where Sam Bird was and didn’t want to compromise my energy targets. I’m very happy to finish in third for the Drivers’ and also happy for the team to finish third in the Teams’ Championship. That’s a fantastic season for us.”[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings (points)” tab_id=”1461513704972-abbca216-e1a55043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2; New York 1; New York 2; Montreal 1; Montreal 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Felix%20Rosenqvist%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%221%3B%2019%3B%2020%3B%2020%3B%2028%3B%2040%3B%2065%3B%2086%3B%2086%3B%20104%3B%20106%3B%20127%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=”Nick Heidfeld’s race in words” tab_id=”1461512547855-b3644413-70595043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_column_text]

Saturday

The first day of the weekend proved to be one to forget for Heidfeld, who struggled to find pace in the opening practice session and qualified a lowly P14. The German pulled off one of his now-trademark opening laps to rise from 14th to 11th, before taking tenth and a potential point from Daniel Abt (ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport) on lap six. Scrapping in the midfield, lap 14 saw Heidfeld come to blows with Loic Duval as a dive down the inside ended in tears as the Faraday Future Dragon Racing driver turned in on his rival through the apex, resulting in inevitable contact and ended the day for the 40-year-old

Sunday

Putting the disappointment of the previous day behind him, Heidfeld bagged another Super Pole appearance and duly took P4 on the grid, with the intention of helping to team to third place in the standings. Fighting with the DS Virgin duo of Sam Bird and Jose-Maria Lopez, Heidfeld ended the race in P5 and brought the team ten vital points. Coupled with Rosenqvist’s second place finish, the team held off DS Virgin in the championship and brought home the bronze medal, while Heidfeld finished seventh in the driver’s standings with 88 points and five podiums to his name.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Lap chart” tab_id=”1461512548457-fc72c98b-1a615043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][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%22Saturday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2214%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2010%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2011%3B%2012%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22green%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Sunday%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%224%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%204%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%203%3B%204%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%207%3B%2012%3B%206%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%3B%205%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22turquoise%22%7D%5D” title=”Nick Heidfeld: lap chart”][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”The race in numbers – Saturday” tab_id=”1461512549057-0abe4d02-33bc5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_column_text]

Best time in FP1: 1:25.002 (P18)

Best time in FP2: 1:22.416 (P5)

Best time in qualifying: 1:24.769 (P14)

Best time in the race: 1:26.311 (lap 11)

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Best time in FP1: 1:23.977 (P20)

Best time in FP2: 1:22.421 (P18)

Best time in qualifying: 1:22.423 (P4)

Best time in the race: 1:26.028 (lap 8)

Pit stop time and difference to minimum pit stop time: 57.773s (0.773s above minimum time)

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[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“It’s a great end to the season for us and I’m delighted for the team. Finishing third in the Teams’ Championship was the main target. After I struggled so much yesterday and this morning in practice, I was very happy to be in Super Pole for qualifying and then to start from fourth in the race. I did a good job but it was a difficult weekend because I just couldn’t keep up with the pace of the cars in front. Finishing fifth was OK and I was able to secure some points. The race went pretty smooth, nothing crazy happened, but most importantly we finished in the top three in the Teams’ Championship! Congratulations to Lucas di Grassi and to Renault e.dams for winning their championships”[/perfectpullquote]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Championship standings (points)” tab_id=”1461513723518-ee223709-f56c5043-b572853b-7c5006cc-defbaeb2-9a8c”][vc_line_chart type=”line” x_values=”Hong Kong; Marrakesh; Buenos Aires; Mexico City; Monaco; Paris; Berlin 1; Berlin 2; New York 1; New York 2; Montreal 1; Montreal 2″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Nick%20Heidfeld%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%2215%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2017%3B%2032%3B%2047%3B%2062%3B%2063%3B%2063%3B%2078%3B%2078%3B%2088%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]

TOPHER SMITH | e-racing.net

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Images courtesy of FIA Formula E Media

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About Antonia Grzelak
Toni is the founder and CEO of e-racing.net. Apart from taking care of management and marketing, she acts as the editor-in-chief and is responsible for ERN's content strategy. Furthermore, she is our very own caffeine addict and is barely ever seen without a huge coffee mug in her hand.
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