Kush Maini Impresses as Mahindra Racing Seal 1-2 in Formula E Rookie Test at Madrid

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Mahindra Racing's Théophile Naël set the fastest time of the day in the ABB FIA Formula E Rookie Test at Madrid, with Kush Maini completing a 1-2 in the morning session for the team after setting the third-best time overall.

The one-day test, held just after the inaugural Madrid E-Prix at the Circuito del Jarama, was split into two sessions, each lasting three hours, and the rookie drivers each had programmes to run through across the day in the M12Electro cars.

Throughout the morning, both Naël and Maini were right towards the top of the timesheets around the 14-turn, 3.934-kilometre circuit.

Despite a couple of interruptions due to red flags involving other drivers, they both completed their programmes without issue.

Naël set a 1-minute 29.216-second time, which turned out to be the fastest time throughout the whole day, with Mahindra Racing Reserve Driver Maini just behind on a 1m29.422. Both times came in the final hour of the morning's running.

This momentum carried on into the afternoon session, with both drivers taking to the track straight away and running towards the top of the times again.

Throughout the three hours, both Maini and Naël kept in the mix for the top spots. Maini put in a time of 1m29.330 to go second, with Naël third with a 1m29.418. Both times came towards the middle of the session and were less than two-tenths away from the fastest time.

After topping the timesheets in the morning, Théophile Naël said, "It's been a fantastic day. We tested plenty of items today, which I hope will help the team in Berlin and in the future. I tried to give my maximum today to help the team, and I think I did that. My objective for today was not to make any big mistakes, which we did, so I think it's a really good first day in the Gen3 Evo car.

"I did some long running as well as some push laps. So, we covered everything that Formula E has to offer. I am super happy and thank you to Fred and Mahindra Racing for this opportunity."

Following a very consistent day with second position in both sessions, Kush Maini added, "It was a great day and nice to get back behind the wheel of a Formula E car. We ran through our entire run plan, and we were able to find some interesting things to note for the race team as well in the future, in our test items.

"I am happy with the way we've run throughout the day. Completing the run plan was the main job for us in this test, and we were able to achieve that. Thank you again to Fred and the Mahindra Racing team for everything today."

Reflecting on the productive running from both drivers, Team Principal & CEO Frederic Bertrand said that "It's been a really positive day for the team. Developing young talent has always been part of Mahindra Racing's DNA, and it's great to see both drivers make the most of the opportunity. We know Kush well by now, and his consistency today was no surprise.

"Théophile had his first run in the Gen3 Evo car and adapted quickly to a demanding circuit. They were both professional throughout, got through their full programmes, and gave us useful data as we continue to develop the M12Electro. For us now as a team, with the beneficial information we have gathered today, we have to take the data from this weekend and see how we can push forward into Berlin."