Mahindra Racing drivers Nick Heidfeld and Bruno Senna were pleased with their Berlin ePrix result, despite losing out on a potential podium.
Mahindra achieved their best qualifying performance of the season in Berlin, both cars made the super pole shootout with Senna grabbing fourth and Heidfeld fifth.
However their chances of finishing on the podium were dashed after a post qualifying inspection by the stewards found that both cars had tyre pressures that were marginally below the required minimum, and the resultant penalty meant that they lined up in fifteenth and sixteenth on the grid.
From there though they managed a good recovery. Heidfeld showed good pace and pulled off several overtakes to move up to seventh, and despite falling back after a nose change, Senna showed the potential of the M2Electro by getting the fastest lap, and with it two points.
Heidfeld said, “We showed in qualifying this morning that the M2Electro was really suited to this circuit and it was wonderful to have both cars qualify for the Super Pole. Unfortunately we had to start the race from very far back due to the penalty but I am happy with how well we recovered.”
“I enjoyed my home ePrix and it was great to feel confident in the car and be able to really push to gain positions. Our race strategy and pit stops were good and it was very satisfying to go wheel-to-wheel with other drivers and have some fun overtaking on the track, especially in front of a home crowd.”
Senna added, “We have had a great weekend here in Berlin. I found our qualifying pace very encouraging and the car felt great. If we had not had this grid penalty I feel we could have fought for a podium today. The nose cone change put us out of contention very early in the race which compromised any chance of a competitive race finish.”
“We switched our strategy to give us the energy to fight for the fastest lap on the second stint. This was hard to achieve as we hadn’t set the downforce of the second car for this type of strategy but it paid off. I am happy to come away with the fastest lap and some points for the team who have worked so hard to achieve these high levels of performance.”
