Mahindra's season: 'Frustrating, but promising'

Frédéric Bertrand is an optimistic man by nature, no doubt one of the reasons why Mahindra appointed the Frenchman as a team boss. The former Formula E director's main task is to bring the Indian team back to the level of 2017, when Mahindra finished third in the constructors' standings. Since then, Mahindra has been a midfield team mostly, but he believes his team will make steps forward.

Not using too much 'if'

Asked in conversation GPblog about the current season, Bertrand first lists a number of things that could have made the course of races different. Then he says: "I don't want to use too many ‘if’s’. But more important is the potential there is. The improvement of the cars, which was definitely late in development, is slowly being completed, and the gap is being closed with the others." 

Mahindra has high hopes for the European races, as some testing may take place in the coming period. However, this does not remove the disappointment of the first few weeks: "Let's say that the feeling is a bit of frustration," Bertrand said. "Because we could be much better in terms of ranking and in terms of the feeling we give to everyone and to us at first. But the potential is promising for sure. Not necessarily in the capacity of competing with being on the podium every race, but earning good points at every race is already a good target for season 9."

He continued: "Then, for sure, we will have a huge phase of work between seasons nine and ten, and we will use a lot of those days to test more, develop what we can do with the software, and get even better and stronger for season 10 so that we can anticipate and start season 10 with a reasonable level of ambition of being better than season 9. So, I would say, frustrating but promising [is the current season]."

Former champion in the line-up

With Lucas di Grassi, Mahindra have a proven top driver under contract, with the Brazilian being crowned Formula E champion in 2017. Immediately, Di Grassi captured pole position in his first race for the Indians, along with finishing third at the ePrix in Mexico. As a teammate, Di Grassi has Oliver Rowland, a long-time solid points scorer in the series.

"Season nine and ten, our cars are full", Bertrand says of the team composition. "We have a commitment with our drivers. We never know what life brings, but for the moment, it is the way it is. Then 11 and 12, we have to make choices." 

Promotion for Daruvala?

Jehan Daruvala, who is racing for MP Motorsport's Formula 2 team this season, is currently the test and reserve driver at Mahindra. He may be an option for 2025 and beyond. Bertrand told GPblog recently that he believes Daruvala's future does lie in Formula E, but not immediately. "I think his future at first is in Formula 2, as he needs to perform this year", said team boss Bertrand. "He did very good last weekend [in Saudi Arabia], I think, and he must multiply those types of weekends. That will be very good for him and very good for anyone looking at him in the future. 

"Then I know, and we have very deep discussions with Jehan on how he could one day be part of the team and at least be part of Formula E. For sure, if he is as good a driver as he is today and he is able to confirm and perform even better, then for sure, he's a good candidate for a seat for us. For the moment, he is in full integration mode, but there is no commitment on whether he should be the driver for seasons 10, 11 or 12 or for the moment. Sure, the more we feel that he will be ready, the more he has a chance to sit in the car."