Mahindra and Abt: Will the Indian car manufacturer supply Formula E returnee Abt with a powertrain? There are talks
Mahindra is looking for potential customer teams for its powertrain for the Gen3 era of Formula E. Among the possible candidates is Abt, the former Audi factory team that will return to Formula E for the 2022/23 season and operate as a private team in the electric formula championship.
Abt had pulled out of Formula E after the 2020/21 season as Audi surprisingly ended its factory involvement. In the past, Abt manufactured its own drivetrain before Audi’s entry. But that is set to change in the Gen3 era: Abt will source the hardware and software from another team.
Abt team boss Thomas Biermauer was on hand at the Rome race in April and was already observed in talks with Mahindra team boss Dilbagh Gill, which is why the rumour mill started bubbling. According to Gill, Mahindra is in talks with several teams to be considered as customers. It would be the first time in Formula E history that the team has supplied parts to another racing team.
“We believe Mahindra will supply a customer team in the Gen3 era,” Gill told ‘Motorsport-Total.com’. When asked, he also confirmed talks with Abt: “Yes, we have spoken to Abt and Thomas among others.” Mahindra and all other teams will get more testing opportunities before the launch of the Gen3 car – one reason why the team wants to take off as a supplier.
“That’s one reason, but it’s not the only factor,” says Gill. “There are several variables that have led to this decision. One of them is the extra time to test. Another is that we are working with a previous, very successful team with the data. Also, it’s important to be able to operate with four cars on the track. That’s important for every manufacturer in Formula E. “