Mahindra will become the first Indian motorcycle manufacturer to compete in the MotoGP World Championship at Qatar this weekend.
The GP125, produced by the company's Engines Engineering division in Italy, will make history when practice gets underway at the Losail circuit tomorrow.
Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, has spoke of his pride at the team's entry to the sport. “Mahindra Motorcycles will compete with the best in class, and it will be an ideal opportunity for us to showcase our strengths in the engineering and IT domains”, he said. “MotoGP is the ultimate test for the finest talents in motorcycle racing and an immensely popular championship with a cult following. Our participation will also help us leverage the power of global branding for the Mahindra Group”.
The team has high hopes ahead of their debut campaign, as Team Principal Mufaddal Choonia explains.
“This is a big challenge for everyone involved and we are all working very hard to ensure we are competitive”.
“Ultimately, we are not in the sport to make up the numbers, we are here to win. That might sound ambitious, but that's the way we are. I know that this is a big task, but we are all focused and we are in the battle for the long term”.
The team also has a young, exciting rider line-up with German youngster Marcel Schrötter joined by Britain's Danny Webb.
The Tunbridge Wells teenager will feels he will fit in well with the new outfit, and looks forward to leading them in their first year.
“Qatar's our first race together and we're focused on improving steadily through the season. I think my experience and potential attracted the team to me, and the strength and back-up of the Mahindra Group combined with the expertise at Engines Engineering drew me to them”.