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On the opening day of testing, Mahindra Racing adds Pascal Wehrlein and former Dragon driver Jerome D’Ambrosio to it's driver line up for Season 5 of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
Former Formula One driver and 2015 DTM Champion, Wehrlein makes his debut in Formula E on the first day of testing ahead of the season opener in Saudi Arabia on December 15.
“I’m very happy to be joining Mahindra Racing, said Wehrlein.
"I had the first meeting with Dilbagh in the summer and met the team for the first time at a test event.
"It’s a small team but with really high ambitions and I have the same high ambitions. I want to achieve the best possible results and I have a feeling the team is the right environment for me. I’m looking forward to the season and I will give my best.”
Holding the record as the youngest driver to win a DTM race and, in 2015, the youngest to win the championship title at the age of just 20, Wehrlein also took honours in 2011 as the ADAC Formula Masters Champion, the F3 European Championship Top Rookie and as the Formula 3 Euro Series Vice-Champion. In 2014, he became development and simulator driver for the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team and, following his DTM success, Wehrlein competed in two full seasons of Formula One, contesting for Manor Racing and Sauber F1 Team. The German-Mauritian driver will call upon his experience in the DTM as well as his time in single-seaters as he embarks on a new chapter in all-electric street racing.
Alongside Wehrlein will be experienced Formula E driver Jerome D'Ambrosio, who joins Mahindra from four seasons with Dragon. Finishing 14th in the championship last season, D'Ambrosio will be looking to make an impact with the Indian team. Having driven in every one of Formula E’s 45-races, the Belgian driver achieved two race wins, seven podiums and two pole positions.
“I’m super excited to join Mahindra Racing," said D'Ambrosio.
"I’ve known some people in the team for more than ten years and haven’t managed to work together with them yet and now we are going to have that opportunity, which is a great prospect.
"I think we have a great team and a really dedicated bunch of people with the possibility of doing something great so I am really motivated to make sure that we achieve the results that the team deserves.
"I’ve known Dilbagh for the last four years and what the team has achieved in that time is amazing and has shown great progression and I want to make sure that continues.”
Former driver Nick Heidfeld takes up the position of Official Test and Reserve Driver with the team, while Belgian racer Sam Dejonghe will continue the role he began in November 2017 as Simulator and Development Driver.
“I’m excited to enter a new chapter of my career by agreeing a multi-year agreement to become a special advisor to Mahindra Racing, said Heidfeld.
Looking to rekindle the success the team enjoyed at the start of Season 4 is Team Principal Dilbagh Gill. “I am truly thrilled to be able to announce what I believe is one of the most exciting and dynamic driver line-ups on the grid, packed full of talent," he said.
"We are delighted that Pascal will join the team as he begins a new racing challenge in Formula E. As a young and enthusiastic yet incredibly experienced driver, he is a valuable addition to the team.
"Having Jérôme join Mahindra Racing with his years of experience and multiple wins in this championship is something we are also extremely excited about. He is very motivated to bring success to Mahindra and has already been working hard behind the scenes preparing for the season."
See Mahindra in action alongside all other 10 teams at pre-season testing at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, Spain between the 16 and 19 October.