Mahindra Racing, the sole Indian team to compete in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Pininfarina and Tech Mahindra. This agreement gives Mahindra Racing access to Pininfarina’s globally renowned design expertise and Tech Mahindra’s digital technology prowess.

Pininfarina will also become a sponsor of the Mahindra Racing Formula E team. This enables the team to leverage Pininfarina’s legendary design and technology expertise to enhance the performance of its M5Electro race car, currently under development for Season 5 of the Formula E Championship which begins in December 2018.

The ABB FIA Formula E Championship is an electric street racing series and the world’s first fully-electric international single-seater category in motorsport.

This partnership will also focus on other areas of design and technology, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) work and help Mahindra with its ‘Race to Road’ strategy that involves the application of learnings from the race track into the development of new electric road vehicles, in due course. Mahindra Racing will also have access to Pininfarina’s testing facilities in Italy which will help the team enhance the aerodynamic efficiency of its race car.  

According to Ruzbeh Irani, president (Group Communications & Ethics) and chief brand officer, Mahindra Group “The Mahindra Racing Formula E team has had a very successful start to Season 4 leading both the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships after the first three races. We are now delighted to welcome Pininfarina and Tech Mahindra as partners, as we gear up to meet the challenges of this new season and beyond. Combining their design, technology and digital skills will significantly augment Mahindra Racing’s existing capabilities and raise the bar as far as our performance is concerned.”

Silvio Pietro Angori, CEO, Pininfarina, said, “This partnership enhances Pininfarina’s passion for racing and exceptional, environmentally responsible automotive performance. We also have developed a profound know-how in aerodynamics. We own one of the most advanced wind tunnels in the world, a centre of excellence for research and development in the aerodynamics and aero-acoustics field since 1972. Over the years many aerodynamic tests have been carried out in our wind tunnel for passenger cars, for Formula 1, for motorcycling and for the sports equipment of world-class athletes.”

“By combining Pininfarina’s design with Tech Mahindra’s digital expertise, we are demonstrating how the products of the future will need to be adapted for a convergent world,” said Jagdish Mitra, chief strategy and marketing officer, Tech Mahindra.

Mahindra Racing is one of 10 founding teams – and the only Indian team – to compete in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the world’s first all-electric racing series.