LONDON: As Mahindra Racing targets an immediate response when the Formula E World Championship resumes in Mexico City this weekend, driver Nyck de Vries is confident the team can build on the positives from a difficult season opener in Sao Paulo last month.
The team showed improved pace in Brazil to become the only outfit to place both cars in the knockout Qualifying Duels, with de Vries and Edoardo Mortara starting the big race fifth and third on the grid respectively.
De Vries went on to finish ninth, picking up two points, but Mortara was forced to retire as a result of contact damage.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to racing this weekend in Mexico,” de Vries said. “Sao Paulo was a tough start to the season but there were plenty of positives for us to take away, and ultimately it’s only one race, the season is long and we have plenty of opportunities ahead of us.
“This event (in Mexico City) always brings out a fantastic crowd. You can really feel the energy from the grandstands in the Foro Sol and around the paddock, so I’m also looking forward to being back in that atmosphere.”
Mortara said team confidence remains high heading into round two of the season at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
“It’s always nice to have a little break over the festive period, so I’m feeling recharged and ready to get back to racing,” he said.
“As a team, it’s very important to keep Sao Paulo in perspective; it was a tough start but we have 16 more races ahead of us, starting with Mexico, and we know we have the car and the team to compete for strong results.
“Formula E is about having that little bit of luck, sometimes, so as long as we continue to work hard, develop and put ourselves in those positions, the results will come.”
Team principal Frederic Bertrand said the focus now is on execution after encouraging performance gains with the team’s new M12Electro car.
“It’s really important that we hit the ground running in Mexico City this weekend, and everybody is arriving recharged and refocused after a short winter break,” he said.
“In some ways we played our ‘joker’ in Sao Paulo, with a difficult weekend, but there are a lot of positives for us to take away.
“We know that we have made some steps forward in performance with the M12Electro, and are clearly stronger over one-lap pace but also race runs — our energy efficiency in Brazil was another step forward from last year — so all the ingredients are in place to be successful.
“If we can execute at the high level we now expect from ourselves, then there’s no reason why we can’t be in the challenge for the podium again this weekend.”
After the Shakedown session and first free practice on Friday afternoon, the Mexico City E-Prix will follow the established single-day format synonymous with Formula E, with the second free practice session, qualifying, and the big race itself all taking place on Saturday.
