Mahindra cautiously optimistic ahead of season opener

After finishing eighth in the first season, the Indian manufacturer opted for changes within the team for the 2015/16 season, which Gill believes will help the team to compete at the front of the grid.

"The majority of testing was about maximizing reliability, but we have a performance programme for the season ahead that I believe will show the M2Electro to be highly competitive," said Gill ahead of the season opener in Beijing.

"If the first season was about getting the team up and running, preparation for season two has been about perfecting how we operate."

Apart from changing partners from Carlin to Campos Racing, which Motorsport.com revealed in August, the team also recruited Nick Heidfeld to Karun Chandhok alongside Bruno Senna.

Too early for favourites

As with everyone else, Gill joined in stating that it was too early to determine the grid for the Beijing race, with the majority of the teams focussing on fine tuning "reliability" and "efficiency" in the pre-season testing.

Elaborating on the changes and expectations, he said: "The fundamental difference in the race itself is the power increase to 170kW.

"We expect to see a greater variety of strategy from different teams. Based on what we have learned in testing and our simulation studies, we are very confident in where we are with the M2Electro," he added.

Simulation results positive

Ahead of the season, the drivers went through the simulation programme in the Mahindra Racing's HQ and Gill added that the team is more prepared than what they were last year.

"I’m cautiously optimistic. I believe we made the right decisions both in terms of developing the M2Electro and the way we have prepared for the season," he said.

"The team has really come together well and both Nick and Bruno have found their stride in the new car.

"There will always be some unknowns but I’m excited about the new experience of racing at 170kW, which will require teams to put much more emphasis on strategy.

"So, the races will become more of a thinking-person’s game, rather than just a flat out race. I’m looking forward to unpacking the cars in Beijing and getting the season started!"