PREVIEW: Is Season 12 the start of Mahindra’s Formula E revival?
- Maahika Banerjee
- 4 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Written by Maahika Banerjee, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
In the lead-up to Formula E's Season 12, DIVEBOMB's writers preview the season ahead for each of the 10 teams taking part in the all-electric racing series. The next part of this series looks at a team that has been there all the way through, one that is looking for the next step up in their Formula E journey.
Team history - Mahindra Racing
Mahindra has been a significant player among India's major automotive manufacturers.
Their involvement in global motorsports began with motorcycle racing, specifically in MotoGP, where they were the first Indian manufacturers to compete in the FIM MotoGP Road Racing World Championship before transitioning to Moto3.
Mahindra has also participated in the CIV Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship, winning both the constructors' and riders' titles multiple times. By entering the racing world through motorcycles, they were able to showcase the strengths of their engineering capabilities.
Mahindra has been involved in Formula E since its inception in 2014. Throughout the years, the team has built an impressive legacy, which includes five Formula E victories, 29 podium finishes, and a total of over 1000 championship points.
To strengthen its position in the sport, Mahindra Racing has committed to participating as a full manufacturer in the upcoming GEN4 era. This commitment will extend their engagement in Formula E until at least 2030, marking a significant milestone in their racing journey.
The team will intensify their research and development initiatives to build themselves as a key player heading into GEN4, as they start from scratch.
Drivers and leadership
Over the years, the driver lineup has featured several notable talents. This includes Karun Chandhok and Bruno Senna in the early years, followed by Jérôme d'Ambrosio, who achieved a memorable victory in Marrakesh and Pascal Wehrlein.
Their current line-up comprises Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara, making them one of the three teams to retain their line-up for Season 12.
De Vries brings a wealth of championship experience to Mahindra; this stems from his remarkable rise through the ranks since his karting days. Many drivers on the grid credit him for his aggressive driving style.
The Dutch driver advanced through junior racing, securing back-to-back karting World Championships in 2010 and 2011. After a successful stint in Formula 2, where he clinched the championship, he entered Formula E as the 2020–21 Formula E World Champion.
He also had a brief period in Formula 1 with Williams and Scuderia AlphaTauri in 2022 and 2023 before returning to Formula E to race for Mahindra Racing.
De Vries’ teammate is Edoardo Mortara, an experienced Swiss-Italian driver boasting six victories and 15 podium finishes.
He completes the core lineup with a proven track record of success within the series, where his strategic acumen has led to numerous podiums and wins. Before joining Mahindra, Mortara raced for Venturi FE, Rokit Venturi, and Maserati MSG Racing.
Supporting the main duo is reserve driver Kush Maini.
Maini is an Indian racing driver who supports the national team, showcasing their commitment to promoting local talent. He has demonstrated promise during rookie sessions and free practices.
Coming from a racing lineage, Maini began his journey in junior formulae, notably competing in Italian F4 in 2016 and 2017, where he achieved solid finishes. He has since progressed through the ranks of F3 and F2, gaining invaluable experience.
Under the leadership of CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand, Mahindra appears focused on development and long-term competitiveness. Their commitment to GEN4 and a technical overhaul signals a stable and growth-oriented leadership strategy.
How did Mahindra fare in Season 11?
Season 11 proved to be a pivotal year for Mahindra, serving as a proof-of-concept that helped the team gain confidence and establish a stronger presence in the championship. Finishing fourth in the Teams’ Championship with 186 points, the team saw a noticeable increase in points compared to the previous season, thanks to the effective implementation of its Gen3Evo updates.
The season was marked by five podium finishes, showcasing the strong performances of drivers Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara. One of the highlights was de Vries's podium finish at the season finale, the London E-Prix. Additionally, Mahindra surpassed the 1000-point milestone in total career points, highlighting their longevity and rich history in Formula E.
The most significant takeaway from this season was their newfound consistency, moving away from the “hit or miss” weekends of the past; they finally had proof of concept with the extensive updates for the new season.
Despite the podiums, a race win eluded them; it showed that while their pace is competitive, beating top teams remains a hurdle. Mahindra successfully rebounded from earlier struggles and re-established itself as a regular contender.
With the right car and mindset, they truly belong near the front.
How pre-season testing went for Mahindra Racing
In the official 2025/26 pre-season test at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Mahindra’s unexpected performance caught the viewers of the series off guard.
In what was a standout performance, their lead driver Edoardo Mortara ended the test fastest overall, posting a best lap of 1:21.493 to top the final session, while teammate Nyck de Vries was right behind — showing that the upgraded machinery is competitive from the off.
Meanwhile, during the all-women’s test, rising star Chloe Chambers further solidified the potential of the new Mahindra package, posting the quickest time among the female drivers in both sessions at 1:22.767.
The Valencia test is a true confidence booster before heading into the final run of the Gen3 Evo era. It's not only confirmed that Mahindra’s new package is fast, but they’re also entering the coming season prepared, ready to replicate their pace in testing while evolving from last year’s results.
Bold prediction for Mahindra Racing
Mahindra can turn itself into a surprise success story for the new season. Given their strong pace and consistency throughout the testing periods, Mahindra can finally score a race win — their first since 2021.
At least one of their two lead drivers, Nyck de Vries or Edoardo Mortara, will finish inside the top five in the Drivers' Championship.
While these may seem brave in the moment, the signs are already there: Mortara topping the Valencia test, de Vries showing restored form, and the team consistently closing the performance gap throughout Season 11.
