Another weekend, another race and this time it’s the turn of Shanghai. The circuit, which is host to Rounds 11 and 12 of Season 10, will be the first time Formula E has been to the municipality in China.
One team who will be hoping to build on their successes in Berlin is Mahindra Racing. The team, who scored their maiden points of the season in the German capital, are on an upwards trajectory thanks to the hard work from their driver duo of Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries.
Mortara was able to get his first Julius Baer Pole Position and three important championship points in Berlin, as well as finishing a season-best eighth place in Round 9.
“I’m really looking forward to Shanghai this weekend,” Mortara said when previewing the inaugural Shanghai E-Prix. “We definitely took another step forward in Berlin two weeks ago, but it’s important that we continue to keep pushing.
INTERVIEW: Mortara reflects on first pole and points with Mahindra
“There’s been a great feeling of motivation in the factory during our sim days before China, so I know everybody is keen to get back on track and build on that.”
On the other side of the Mahindra Racing garage, Nyck de Vries is back after missing the Berlin double-header due to a previous commitment in the World Endurance Championship. Although he was able to watch from the sidelines on Sunday, the team’s Reserve, Test and Development Driver Jordan King got to make his Formula E debut across both races.
“This weekend we’re racing in China, which is an exciting venue for Formula E,” the Dutchman continued. “I’m very happy to be back in the car after missing Berlin, but it was great to see that the team had a great weekend and everyone got some result after all the hard work that has been put into the project since the beginning.
CIRCUIT: What does the Shanghai E-Prix circuit look like?
“It’s also encouraging to see that our internal progress is translating to the track, because often you feel like you’re making little steps, but it’s not always reflected in the results which, in our world, is the metric by which progress is judged.
“China will be another extreme race, with a lot of energy on a big track. I’m sure it’ll offer exciting racing for the spectators.”
HISTORY: Looking back through Formula E's key moments
Although several members of our grid have driven here before – like Sebastien Buemi (Envision Racing), Lucas di Grassi (ABT CUPRA) and Stoffel Vandoorne (DS PENSKE) – this Shanghai International Circuit will be a new challenge for the majority of our talented roster!
“As with any new circuit in Formula E, our first objective is to understand the circuit, and to make sure our simulations match up with reality,” Mahindra Racing’s CEO and Team Principal, Frederic Bertrand, concluded. “From there, we can confirm the car setup, and really start to dial ourselves in for the weekend.”
FEATURE: Five things to look forward to in Shanghai
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2024 Shanghai E-Prix Rounds 11 & 12
The 2024 Shanghai E-Prix Round 11 gets underway on Friday 24 May with Free Practice 1 at 17:00 local time.
WATCH: How to watch every race of Formula E Season 10
Track action for the first day of the double-header starts on Saturday 25 May with Free Practice 2 at 08:00 local. Qualifying follows at 10:20 local time with lights out for Round 11 scheduled at 15:00 local.
Following this, Sunday’s action starts with Free Practice 3 at 08:00, followed by Round 12 qualifying and the race at 10:20 and 15:00 local time respectively.
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