Chandhok, Senna to drive for Mahindra Racing in Formula E

Mumbai, May 26 (IANS) India's Karun Chandhok and Brazilian Bruno Senna will team up as the driver pair for India's only team on the grid -- Mahindra Racing -- in the inaugural season of the FIA Formula E Championship.

Formula E is the world's first fully electric racing championship which will have 10 rounds, starting in Beijing Sep 13 till the final race in London June 27 next year. Ten teams of two drivers each will run the zero emissions SRT-01E racing cars with its batteries producing 200kw, the equivalent of 270bhp.

Neither Chandhok nor Senna are strangers to racing fans, both having competed and also being teammates previously in Formula 1 and GP2.

"Karun and Bruno both represent the perfect balance between experience and youthful enthusiasm for this truly ground breaking championship. I am confident they will do their best to represent Mahindra on the world stage and the entire team is aiming for top results from the start," Mahindra Racing team principal Dilbagh Gill said.

Preparation is already underway with the first car having been delivered to Mahindra Racing recently. The car has been painted with the team's new livery -- a combination of Mahindra red and the colours of the Indian flag.

"I'm very excited to be a part of the Mahindra Racing line-up. They are showing a lot of commitment to Formula E and it's very encouraging to see the support of senior members of the group to this programme. To be a part of the only Indian team in this series is a real honour for me," said Chandhok.

"It's also going to be a nice reunion for me with Bruno again. He's one of my closest friends from the racing world. We respect each other and work well together which will be good for the development of the team. The in-city races are going to be a great spectacle and the quality of teams and drivers should ensure some fantastic racing."

Senna, who is the nephew of F1 late great Ayrton Senna, concurred.

"I'm very proud to be joining Mahindra Racing. There is a real ambition within the team to be leaders in Formula E from the start. It's also an exciting prospect to be part of such a revolutionary championship from the beginning," said the 30-year-old.

"There will be a lot to learn very quickly, both for the teams and drivers in terms of technology and driving styles and for race fans as Formula E will popularise a new type of motorsport across the world. I already have a great relationship with Karun which will help us work together and move the team forward very quickly."