Heidfeld: Felix is doing an amazing job

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Heidfeld: Felix is doing an amazing job

Heidfeld: Felix is doing an amazing job

Mahindra Racing is enjoying is best start to a Formula E season so far. A podium for Nick Heidfeld in the season-opening Hong Kong ePrix, was followed by by Felix Rosenqvist scoring the team’s first Julius Baer Pole Position in Marrakesh.

On top of this, the young Swede has set the Visa Fastest Lap in two of the opening three races, and Mahindra is current third in the teams’ championship on 37 points.

Formula E caught up with Heidfeld at the Geneva Motorshow to get his opinion on how the team is performing this season.

Q: Mahindra seem to have made quite a big step from Season 2 to Season 3. Do you that’s the case?

A: In Formula E there’s only limited places where you can improve the car and the main part is obviously the drivetrain and as Mahindra already said last year, for Season 2 the changes that they did did not manage everything they set out to do on time, so they made small progress. Now for Season 3 they have a lot on the list and I think they achieved all that by designing and doing all the parts on the drivetrain by themselves and they’ve done a very, very good job I think. Both in terms of performance and in terms of reliability. It makes it a lot more fun to drive than it already was in the previous two seasons to be in a competitive car.

Q: The Renault powered cars – e.dams and TECHEETAH – appear to be out in front, but Mahindra is very much in the mix as the best of the rest…

A: Yes, I would agree. I think in Qualifying the differences are a bit smaller but in the race, as you say, Renault e.dams still have the edge, but we are still improving. Again, in-season there is even less you can develop but there are things that we are learning and understanding and as I said before, we are having a lot of fun at the moment, not only racing but also being in this team because I can see them pushing and moving forward, working hard maybe even more and with more enthusiasm than before. Because if you see that you are putting a lot of effort in and see, as you said, have a chance to be the best team behind Renault e.dams, you can see a target and you feel this in the team, that everyone is really fired up.

Q: Have you been surprised by the start Felix has made to his Formula E career?

A: Yes and no. I always try not to go into certain things in motorsport, including team-mates with big expectations, I just try and see how it’s going. But he’s definitely surprised many people and is doing an amazing job. He has been very quick from the beginning and is also a very nice human being, it’s great to have him as a team-mate. It’s a lot of fun, we work together very openly and it’s a nice relationship.

Q: With your experience and his potential, Mahindra arguably has the perfect mix…

A: Yes, I think it’s a very good mix. As you say, with the experience that I have, I think I can help the team. He’s a clever guy and also has some experience and also has a lot of input. So it’s a good mix and with the speed he has, he keeps me on my toes, which I also like. It’s very enjoyable and is also part of the reason why I have so much fun now and can’t wait for the next race. Because in Buenos Aires, as a team result, it is not what we could have achieved but this is motorsport. I am very hungry for the next few races.

Q: Looking at the tracks that are coming up, do you think there are any that will favour Mahindra in particular?

A: I think so far in Formula E, it was difficult to pinpoint when one team was better than the other because the cars are so similar. I have a feeling that we are quite good in low-speed, tight corners and Mexico has a lot of low speed sections, more chicanes than tight corners, I hope that we will be even more competitive.

You can see how Heidfeld, Rosenqvist and the rest of the Mahindra team get on when the Mexico City ePrix takes place on April 1. Click here to learn more about where to watch the race in your location.