MAHINDRA RACING DIRIYAH E-PRIX PREVIEW: SEASON 7 IS GO IN DIRIYAH

• The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to get underway next weekend in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
• Diriyah opener to see the first ever Formula E night races held in a thrilling double-header
• Alexander Sims and Alex Lynn form line up as Mahindra Racing takes on the first ever World Championship season in the brand new M7Electro, powered by ZF and Shell

19 February 2021, Banbury, UK – The 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off next week with a double-header race in Saudi Arabia. The momentous event sees Formula E take on official FIA World Championship status for the first time (the only other single-seater championship than Formula 1) and will also be the series’ first ever night race.

Mahindra Racing’s new Season 7 driver line-up consists of Alexander Sims and Alex Lynn. Sims, last year’s Diriyah E-Prix winner, will drive the #29 Mahindra Racing M7Electro, ‘Simsulator’, with Lynn taking the reins of the #94 ‘Shakti’. The M7Electro has an all new powertrain from team partners ZF, and also purpose developed e-fluids and e-greases from Shell.

This year will mark the third year that Formula E has raced the Diriyah track, which weaves its way through the historic buildings and desert that form part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Racing in the dark is a first for the series and Formula E has ensured that the most sustainable energy processes will be used to light up the track. The latest low-power LED technology will reduce energy consumption by up to 50 per cent.

Rounds 1 and 2 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will take place on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 February, with both Diriyah E-Prix beginning at 8pm local time.

“I have fond memories of Diriyah; two pole positions and a win last year was an awesome way to start the season. The track there is really exciting as the first half is just corner after corner after corner and getting a good flow is really important. There are some decent overtaking opportunities as well so I’m looking forward to going back there! One of the unique challenges about Diriyah is that the track has historically been very dusty to start with, and so there has been quite a big track evolution. Trying to predict how the track is going to be by qualifying and then the race is difficult to get exactly right so that keeps things exciting.”

#29 Alexander Sims

“Diriyah is going to be very competitive, as it always is in Formula E. I’ve been putting a huge amount of preparation time, both in terms of working with the team and on myself. I’ve been spending a lot of time learning the track and ensuring I know the little nuances of it, to know what it takes to go fast around there. I’m excited to get the season started and expect to be fighting for some good points.”

#94 Alex Lynn

“We’re very happy to get going racing in Diriyah to start the new season.  There is no luxury of building up into a season; in Formula E the competition is so fierce and tight that we must hit the ground running. It’s going to be interesting as they’ve resurfaced the track and it will be our first ever night races. Diriyah always knows how to throw a curveball so that, combined with the fact that we always get good racing, sets us in good stead for a thriller of a season opener. Alexander Sims was a star there last year with two pole positions and a win and Alex Lynn has been a very consistent performer in qualifying. With a strong driver pairing and a positive group test in Valencia, we will be targeting podium finishes from round one. Let’s go racing.”

Dilbagh Gill