Indian manufacturer Mahindra has announced it will withdraw from the Moto3 World Championship at the end of the eason, citing the move as a ‘strategic shift in Mahindra Racing’s focus toward electric vehicle racing.’
Mahindra entered grand prix racing in 2011 in the final year of the 125cc class, then riders Marcel Schrotter and Danny Webb finishing the year a respectable 15th and 19th in the standings.
The firm scored its first podium courtesy of current KTM Moto2 rider Miguel Oliveira at Sepang in 2013, adding another to the tally at Assen the following season, while current Moto2 team-mate Brad Binder secured a further two rostrums that year with the Ambrogio team.
2016 proved to be a breakout year for Mahindra, Valentino Rossi protege Francesco Bagnaia claiming wins at Assen and Sepang, with the Peugeot Saxoprint-backed John McPhee cruising to victory in the Czech Republic.
2017 has seen a dramatic downturn in form for Mahindra, the best result of the season so far an 11th place for Peugeot’s Jakub Kornfeil at Le Mans.
With Mahindra keen on building its electric image, the firm will shift its motorsport focus to the Formula E series where it recently secured its first win in Germany.
“Formula E is providing us with an excellent international platform to raise awareness of the Mahindra Group, our technological capabilities and our mobility solutions on a global scale, “said chief brand officer and President of Group Communications & Ethics Ruzbeh Irani.
“Our strategic review of Mahindra Racing and Mahindra’s two-wheeler business led us to the decision to withdraw from MotoGP.
“It has been a tremendous journey, and we would like to thank all of our staff, partners and collaborators who have contributed to our success during our seven years in the sport.”
Earlier in the year, Mahindra gifted double race-winner Bagnaia – who penned a one-year extension with the VR46 team in Moto2 last week – with the MGP30 he rode last season.
Mahindra’s withdrawal at the end of the year will see its factory Aspar entrant, as well as the CIP and Peugeot Saxoprint teams, searching for machinery from either of Moto3’s two remaining manufacturers Honda and KTM.
