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Motorsport has played a significant role in enhancing the reputation – and our perception – of some of the world’s most famous automotive brands. Think Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus and Porsche.
But as much as motorsport is a marketing exercise to increase brand awareness, it is also a high-pressure laboratory where the boundaries of new technologies are pushed and the brightest engineers who develop them are stress tested.
And that’s exactly why Mahindra has been involved in the all-electric Formula E championship since its inception more than a decade ago.
The Indian automaker seems the least likely brand to follow motorsport’s “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” ethos, especially considering its range of family-oriented SUVs and rugged all-wheel drives.
But Formula E has proven a fruitful test bed for the development of the new range of Mahindra electric vehicles, which are set to join the local lineup in the coming years.
Additionally, Mahindra Racing has attracted some of the world’s best drivers and is a consistent championship contender with five race wins, 29 podiums and 11 pole positions.
The first round starts again this weekend 2025/2026 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
If you’re not familiar with Formula E, it’s a racing series for all-electric, open-top racing cars on temporary street circuits around the world. There are 12 rounds, 11 teams and 22 drivers.
The current cars are all based on an identical chassis, the so-called Spark Gen3, with a liquid-cooled 47 kWh battery developed by Williams Advanced Engineering that allows for flash charging of up to 600 kW.
| Date | circuit |
|---|---|
| December 6, 2025 | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| January 10, 2026 | Mexico City, Mexico |
| January 31, 2026 | Miami, USA |
| 13th-14th February 2026 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
| March 21, 2026 | Madrid, Spain |
| 2nd-3rd May 2026 | Berlin, Germany |
| 16-17 May 2026 | Monaco, Monte Carlo |
| June 20, 2026 | Sanya, China |
| 4th-5th July 2026 | Shanghai, China |
| 25-26 July 2026 | Tokyo, Japan |
| 15th-16th August 2026 | London, UK |
All cars feature a dual-engine configuration with a standardized generator on the front axle used solely to charge the battery during braking, while the rear engine is developed by the team or manufacturer and is limited to a maximum power of 350 kW in qualifying and 300 kW during the race.
The racing is fast and furious and each track has its own Attack Mode section away from the preferred racing line, allowing drivers to use their full qualifying power to prepare for a possible overtaking maneuver on the next straight.
Therefore, Formula E cars are the fastest accelerating single-seater racing cars, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2.5 seconds and having a theoretical top speed of 322 km/h.
Mahindra Racing retains the same driver line-up as last season, including former Dutchman Nyck De Vries, who finished second in 2024/2025, and Swiss Eduardo Mortara, who set the pace with the fastest time in pre-season testing.
But what does Mahindra hope to achieve from this venture?
At its core, there are three interlocking ambitions: demonstrate technology leadership in electric vehicle systems, translate racing-derived innovations into road vehicle applications (the so-called “Race to Road” strategy), and strengthen the global presence of an Indian brand that competes on the world stage.
The company itself states that Formula E is “the cutting edge of electrical engineering” and “plays a strategic role in realizing Mahindra’s vision of the future of mobility.”
In practice, Mahindra Racing has used the platform to improve its software control systems, battery management and engine packaging under intense racing scrutiny. These insights feed into the expanding electric vehicle business in India and abroad.
Sustainability also plays a major role. Mahindra Racing was the first Formula E team to be awarded the three-star FIA environmental accreditation rating and has secured Net Zero Carbon status since its inception.
At a time when automakers need to demonstrate their leadership in low-carbon mobility, the racing platform becomes a credible “sandbox” in which to experiment with efficiency, recycling and sustainability practices.
Looking ahead, Mahindra Racing has already committed to the next Gen 4 iteration of the Formula E championship, starting late next year and running until at least 2030.
Mahindra’s Gen 4 car – dubbed M12Electro – will feature a larger 55kWh battery, a more powerful rear motor capable of producing 450kW during racing and 600kW in attack mode, and a 700kW regenerative braking motor at the front.
The chassis features two aerodynamic configurations – high downforce for qualifying and low downforce for racing – and is made from 100 percent recyclable materials.
“Mahindra Racing has always been a symbol of our commitment to the race-to-road journey – where cutting-edge on-track innovations directly shape the clean, intelligent and high-performance mobility solutions we deliver to our customers,” said R Velusamy, Chairman, Mahindra Racing.
“Formula E is a powerful platform for innovating new technologies, giving us the opportunity to experiment, learn and advance the efficiency of electric powertrains, sustainable materials and software intelligence.
“As we move into the Gen 4 era, our ambitions only grow stronger. Continuing this journey through 2030 is a testament to our belief in the sport, in electrification and in India’s role in leading global sustainable mobility. We are proud to drive this future forward and Gen 4 represents an exciting new chapter for Mahindra Racing and the Mahindra Group.”
MORE: Explore Mahindra showroom
