It has long been rumored that Mahindra wants to sign an agreement with Abt, the former Audi factory team, which will return to Formula E next year as an independent structure after the German manufacturer’s shock retirement at the end of the 2020/21 season.
Unlike the previous period in FE, from season 1 to season 7, when it initially produced its own powertrain before transforming into the Audi factory team, Abt will source hardware and software from an external supplier when the Gen3 debuts next season.
Team Abt team principal Thomas Biermaier attended the Rome E-Prix in April this year and was seen chatting in the paddock with Mahindra boss Dilbagh Gill, fueling rumors of a bond between the two. teams.
Gill has now revealed that he is in talks with several teams for a ninth season and remains optimistic about Mahindra’s chances of securing a customer for the powertrain for the first time in the series.
“Mahindra is talking to more than one facility about having a customer team and I’d say we’re relatively confident we can have one in Gen3,” Gill told Motorsport.com ahead of the Jakarta E-Prix, the first ever in Indonesia. .
Asked to confirm whether Abt is one of the teams he spoke to, Gill replied: “Yes, we talked to Abt and Thomas, among others.”
Alexander Sims, Mahindra Racing, Mahindra M7Electro, Oliver Turvey, NIO 333 Racing, NIO 333 001
Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images
Formula E constructors will get extra test days to their assigned days if they supply powertrains to customer teams in the Gen3 era, which should incentivize them to collaborate with other teams.
However, Gill says adding track time is only part of why Mahindra is keen to expand its presence on the grid as a manufacturer ahead of a major regulation review next year.
“It’s one of the incentives, but it’s not the only decision factor,” Gill explained.
“There are several decision-making factors. One of them is, of course, the execution of additional tests. Another is the extra data obtained by working closely with a very successful team.”
“Last but not least, it is also the possibility to go to the track and work together with four cars. This part is becoming a model in Formula E with all the manufacturers.”
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