Mahindra Racing locks in for Formula E’s GEN4 future

Mahindra Racing has pledged to stay on the Formula E grid as a manufacturer into the GEN4 era, which kicks off with the 2026/27 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season and runs until at least 2030. This extends a relationship that began in 2013, when Mahindra became one of the founding teams and the first OEM to back the all‑electric series from day one.

Mahindra Racing M12Electro design

GEN4 cars will feature separate aerodynamic setups for qualifying and race runs, with high‑downforce trim for single‑lap pace and low‑downforce for close‑quarters racing. Their construction will use fully recyclable materials, reinforcing Formula E’s status as one of the most sustainable motorsport platforms and neatly aligning with the Mahindra Group’s broader green agenda. Mahindra’s GEN4 livery is designed by Pratap Bose. An interesting detail is that the car's top has 12 lines representing the 12 seasons Mahindra has participated in Formula E, starting from the very first season. They have used a mix of reds, whites, and the black areas are actually the car's bare carbon fiber. Additionally, the entire livery, including all stickers and branding, weighs less than 1.7 kilograms. This lightweight is achieved using a special film used for race cars to minimize weight.

Mahindra Racing GEN4 performance

As development of Mahindra’s GEN4 challenger ramps up, the brief is clear: keep improving, chase marginal gains and turn the team into a consistent World Championship contender. Mahindra wants to go wheel‑to‑wheel with global heavyweights such as Porsche, Jaguar and Nissan, proving that an Indian manufacturer can fight at the sharp end in a top‑tier international motorsport series. The FIA’s GEN4 rulebook promises a big leap in performance and tech, with cars offering up to 450 kW of peak race power and a boosted 600 kW ATTACK MODE for serious overtaking punch. Regenerative braking capacity climbs to 700 kW, while race energy of up to 55 kWh opens up more aggressive race strategies and tactical flexibility. With max power at 470bhp and car weight at 840kg, top speed reaches 320kmph.

Mahindra Racing journey

Over 12 seasons, Mahindra Racing has evolved into one of the championship’s most recognisable names, with multiple E-Prix wins, dozens of podiums, double‑digit pole positions and more than 1,000 points to its credit. The last 18 months have been particularly transformative, with the team climbing from the back of the pack to regular podium contention under CEO and Team Principal Frederic Bertrand. Central to this turnaround was the M11Electro, a heavily reworked car that helped drivers Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara secure five podium finishes on the way to fourth place in the Season 11 standings. Building on that momentum, Mahindra has now revealed the M12Electro in India, the car it expects will keep it in the fight for regular podiums and a top‑five overall finish in the upcoming season.

Mahindra Racing future

For Mahindra, Formula E doubles as a rolling lab where sport, human creativity and cutting‑edge tech meet, feeding track learnings into future road‑going products. The focus spans electric powertrain efficiency, sustainable materials and advanced software, all aimed at cleaner and smarter mobility solutions for customers. Mahindra Racing was the first Formula E team to earn the FIA’s top-tier Three‑Star Environmental Accreditation, underscoring that its sustainability push is more than just marketing. In Season 11, it launched the ‘Planet Positive’ programme to drive positive impact across communities, economies and the environment, with an emphasis on collaboration and climate‑positive action.

Mahindra Racing Chairman R Velusamy positions the team as a symbol of the brand’s “race to road” philosophy, where innovations proven on track shape future road cars. He frames the GEN4 commitment through 2030 as proof of Mahindra’s belief in electrification and India’s potential to lead global sustainable mobility.

Team boss Frederic Bertrand credits the wider Mahindra Group for buying into the long‑term vision and giving the team the platform to aim even higher. He sees the project as a way to make India proud and to showcase the country’s strength in automotive and technology on a world stage.

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds hails Mahindra’s renewed deal as a big boost, noting that the team has championed electric racing and innovation since the championship started. FIA Senior Circuit Sport Director Marek Nawarecki adds that Mahindra’s GEN4 commitment makes it the sixth manufacturer signed up for the new era, underlining the strength and relevance of Formula E’s long‑term roadmap for OEMs.