Mahindra has been one of the founding teams in Formula E, having competed in every season of the all-electric championship since its debut back in 2014. But the Indian team still needs to formally commit to its Formula E future for the new Gen4 rules, which come into force at the end of 2026.
It is understood that the team was evaluating whether it should continue as a manufacturer or transition to becoming a customer team for the new ruleset. Speaking to Autocar India at the Jakarta E-Prix, Mahindra Racing CEO and team principal Frederic Bertrand confirmed that the team would “love to stay as a manufacturer” and that a decision should be made soon.
- Mahindra currently P6 in Formula E standings
- Three podium finishes so far this season
Mahindra committed to stay in Formula E
Why Mahindra believes manufacturer route makes more sense
Formula E Season 11 wraps up in London this weekend (July 26-27). We have one more season under the current Gen3 Evo rules before the championship kicks off its new Gen4 era for Season 13. So far, organisers have confirmed the new cars will have permanent four-wheel drive, different aerodynamic configurations and a power output of 815hp (600kW).
Five of the current six manufacturers – including Nissan, Stellantis and Jaguar – have committed to the Gen4 rules. The only manufacturer left to commit is Mahindra.
There are two types of teams in Formula E. Manufacturer teams design and produce their own powertrain components, while customer teams can purchase complete cars from a manufacturer and compete independently. Now, Mahindra was considering a switch to becoming a customer team. It’s not surprising considering how often we see customer teams like Andretti and even McLaren defeating their supplying manufacturers.
However, after plenty of deliberation, Mahindra is leaning towards keeping its manufacturer status. “It makes sense in terms of keeping the level of performance, understanding and also creating track-to-road synergies within the [Mahindra] Group,” explained Bertrand.
Mahindra Racing’s growing collaboration with Mahindra Research Valley and Tech Mahindra also comes into play here. “[We’re] giving some more information to Mahindra Research Valley and the car side of Mahindra. And we also have a strong link with Tech Mahindra, and we see that there are a lot of things we can learn – how we work on software and everything,” he added.
Mahindra’s Formula E resurgence
From Formula E backmarker to podium contender
This also coincides with Mahindra’s recent Formula E resurgence. After two difficult seasons, the Indian team has returned to becoming a consistent points scorer this year and has even scored three podium finishes so far.
The team is well on course to meet its goal of finishing in the top six of the standings this year. But it’s chasing bigger goals next season. “The target is not to overachieve right now; it’s just to consistently deliver,” said Bertrand. “We make sure that we keep building and that we end up on a high. When we start Season 12, this time we need to fight for the top.”
Bertrand further explains that staying a manufacturer will also give the team the independence to manage its own performance rather than relying on someone else. “We like to be quite independent and manage our own destiny. That’s why we push, and that’s why I feel that behind us, Mahindra also realises that it would make sense,” he added.
With Season 11 coming to a close this weekend, an official decision on the matter should be announced sometime soon. But Bertrand maintains that “in any case, we will be part of Gen4” – good news for Indian representation in top-level global motorsport but also for Formula E in the wake of McLaren and Maserati’s looming exits.
Also see:
Mahindra Racing: New Formula E car designed for performance, not cost
