Mahindra fights to podium joy at Le Mans; `Pecco’ takes Moto3 podium
Le Mans, 17 May 2015: The only Indian team, Mahindra, in the MotoGP came tantalisingly close to a big result. Many hearts missed a beat as the Mapfre Team Mahindra rider Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia lead the race for a few moments and only wished that it lasted for a lap more. That was not to be. However, the Italian claimed a fine, fighting third place in a thrilling French Grand Prix on Sunday – taking a leading role in a fearsome front pack, and missing his and the only Indian marque’s first Moto3 victory by less than half a second.
The 18-year-old had qualified on the front row for the first time, and he didn’t put a wheel wrong throughout a punishingly competitive 24 laps of the 4.185-km Bugatti circuit at the legendary French motor-racing venue.
Pecco started strongly, battled for the lead in the early laps, then played it cool in an eight-bike brawl, saving his strength for the closing battle. The new 2015 Mahindra MGP3O again showed its strength at the highest level, with Bagnaia particularly strong at the crucial corner-entry overtaking points.With four laps remaining, the Italian attacked again. He moved up to second, then took the lead as they started the last lap.
Now it was a four-way scrap, won by inches by Romano Fenati (KTM) and Enea Bastianini (Honda). Championship leader Danny Kent (Honda) was fourth.
Bagnaia proved that Mahindra’s luck seems to have turned and the hard work paid off. Two more MGP3O riders finished in the points. Second Mapfre Team Mahindra rider Juanfran Guevara was a brave 12th, less than a fortnight after surgery for a broken collarbone; rookie Stefano Manzi claimed his first point at 15th.
The next race is the Italian GP at Mugello, in two weeks.
Pecco Bagnaia – Third place
This was for sure the best race of my career. I fought a lot with the other two Italian riders, and that was great. In the remaining two laps, I tried to take first position, and I could make it. But it was so difficult, a real fight. I gave my best, and this third place is the result. I’m very happy, because the team and Mahindra have been working a lot. This is a good reward. Now we have to continue,
Mufaddal Choonia – CEO, Mahindra Racing
What a race! My heart was beating so fast it almost popped out of my chest. We’re very happy. The podium has eluded us so far this year, but now it has come in the fifth race, the earliest top-three we have achieved in a season. Pecco showed his potential, and also proved that the Mahindra MGP3O has race-winning pace. This will drive us on to work even harder. I hope we can get our hands on that elusive first grand prix win as soon as possible.
About Mahindra Team:
Mahindra Racing became the first Indian motorcycle constructor to participate in the FIM MotoGP World Motorcycle Racing Championship series in 2011 and the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV) in 2012.
In 2015, Mahindra is competing in its third year in the Moto3 class of MotoGP with its own 4-stroke, 250cc motorcycle: the Mahindra MGP3O, developed in its state of the art development center at Varese in Italy. This development center is part of Mahindra Group’s neural network of innovation.
In season 2014, the Mahindra MGP3O took three podium finishes in 2014, the first for factory rider Miguel Oliveira at the Dutch TT at Assen, while a customer Mahindra in the hands of South African Brad Binder finished third in Japan and second at the Sachsenring, a best ever result for the Indian motorcycle. The team’s history-making first-ever podium came in 2013’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Mahindra Racing recorded top-five finishes in 10 of the 17 rounds of the 2013 World Championship as well as a pole position, three circuit lap records and third in the Constructor’s rankings for Mahindra.
In season 2015, Mahindra Racing has partnered with 4 times World Champion Jorge Martinez “Aspar” to run the factory team for Mahindra Racing. The Mapfre Team Mahindra, as it is called, has three talented riders in Francesco Bagnaia from the VR 46 rider’s academy, 2014 Rookies Cup Winner Jorge Martin and experienced Juanfran Guevara. Besides the factory team, Mahindra Racing also supplies the Mahindra MGP3O racing bike to Team CIP Moto3, San Carlo Team Italia and the Outox Reset Drink Team, who all run two rider set ups. This takes the total number of Mahindra bikes on the grid to 9 for the current 2015 season.
The Mahindra Racing – Aspar partnership will also see Mahindra’s factory team participating in the newly christened Junior World Championship from the current 2015 season.
Mahindra’s bold decision to take on the world’s best at the highest level of motorcycle racing has won the manufacturer a number of prestigious awards in India, including: the NDTV Car and Bike Awards – ‘Mobil 1 Motorsport Award of the Year’, 2012 and 2013; the Bike India Magazine – ‘Motorsport Award’, 2013; and ‘ZigWheels Motorsport Award of the Year’, 2012.
eom/Mahindra team press release
