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Mahindra open to evaluating Daruvala, Maini for FE drive

Mahindra says it is open to evaluating rising Indian racing stars Arjun Maini and Jehan Daruvala for a Formula E drive, should they approach the Indian manufacturer.

Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing

Nick Heidfeld, Mahindra Racing

Dom Romney / Motorsport Images

Mahindra signed up former Indian Formula 1 driver Karun Chandhok when it joined Formula E at the inception of the all-electric championship in 2014, but parted ways with him after a single season.

Since then it has relied exclusively on international drivers, with Germany’s Nick Heidfeld and Swiss racer Felix Rosenqvist driving for the team during the last two seasons.

Mahindra team principal Dilbagh Gill says his priority is to recruit the best possible drivers for his squad, but adds that he would be willing to give Maini or Daruvala a chance, should any of them prove “appropriate to put into our car.”

Maini currently races in the FIA Formula 2 championship for Trident, while Daruvala is competing in his second European F3 season in 2018.

Arjun Maini, Trident

Arjun Maini, Trident

Photo by: FIA Formula 2

“Obviously, it would be nice to have someone but at the end of the day we are a global team and we want the best talent we can get anywhere in the world,” Dilbagh Gill told Motorsport.com.

“If you look at Maini and Daruvala etc, I think they are still focused on developing their careers towards the stages of FIA in gasoline powered cars.

“So as long as they would like to continue doing that and gaining experience, we will continue to keep a tab on them and should, if the time comes, they are ready to talk to us we will look to see if they are appropriate to put into our car.”

Mahindra finished fourth in the teams’ standings in the 2017/18 season with one win each in Hong Kong and Marrakesh.

The Indian manufacturer is currently testing the “revolutionary” M5 Electro ahead of its race debut in Saudi Arabia in December.

Press conference, Jehan Daruvala, Carlin Dallara F317 - Volkswagen

Press conference, Jehan Daruvala, Carlin Dallara F317 - Volkswagen

Photo by: FIA F3 / Suer

 

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