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Mahindra confirm D’Ambrosio and Wehrlein, announce ZF partnership

Jerome D’Ambrosio and Pascal Wehrlein will continue with Mahindra Racing for a second season.

The pair, who finished 11th and 12th in the 2018-19 season, were confirmed at a special event in Germany in which the livery for Mahindra’s season six challenger was also revealed.

D’Ambrosio is set to start his sixth season in Formula E and second season with the team. The Belgian racer took the team’s only victory of the 2018-19 season and briefly lead the championship after a double podium in Saudi Arabia.

“I really want to thank Mahindra Racing for last year and I am super happy to continue with the team,” said D’Ambrosio.

“We had an amazing start to season five and started to show the potential we have working together as one team. We know the second half of the season was challenging but the fact that we are all sticking together for season six means we can come back stronger and consistently fight at the front for wins.

“I am really excited to be back and cannot wait to get the championship underway.”

D’Ambrosio will be joined by former Formula 1 driver Pascal Wehrlein for a second consecutive season.

Wehrlein made his FE debut in Marrakesh last year. After a rocky start to the season, the German claimed his maiden podium in only his second ever race and went on to become a consistent points finisher.

“I am very happy to continue my relationship with Mahindra Racing,” he said. “Last year was my rookie season and there were a lot of positives to take from that and build on for a second Fomrula E season.

“There is a very positive and upbeat mood in the team as we’ve been working hard over the summer break and I’m really looking forward to working with the team again.”

Nick Heidfeld, who took Mahindra Racing’s first podium in 2015, will continue in his advisory role and as the team’s official test and reserve driver.

Mahindra also announced a new technology partnership with ZF Friedrichschafen AG. The global technology company will support Mahindra with “chassis development work, shock absorber provision, and engineering services”.

“Last season was one of the most challenging seasons in Formula E history in terms of competition but we believe we have one of the strongest driver line-ups on the grid to help us achieve our championship ambitions,” said team principal Dilbagh Gill.

“I am also delighted to welcome ZF to the Mahindra Racing family. We now have one of the most successful global players in the field of e-mobility at our side. We were highly impressed by the performance of the ZF driveline in the most recent Formula E season and together we will be better positioned to continue celebrating success.”

ZF joined the Formula E grid in 2016, when it became Venturi’s official technology partner. The company developed an electric driveline – which included an electric motor, newly developed transmission and power electronics – for the 2018-19 season, helping to power the team to a victory and two third place finishes.

“Formula E is a great stage for ZF to demonstrate the quality and performance of our drive train solutions for the e-mobility of tomorrow,” said CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider.

“In no other racing series is the transfer of expertise from motorsports to volume production development as great as in Formula E.

“We look forward to a successful cooperation with Mahindra Racing and also show our commitment to India as an important growth market.”

Image courtesy of Mahindra Racing/Spacesuit Media

Bethonie Waring

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