Mahindra “is dedicated to Method E” as Gen4 determination looms

Mahindra staff principal Fred Bertrand says the outfit “is dedicated to Method E”, regardless of the Indian producer having but to formally determine on its future within the all-electric championship.

Mahindra has been a part of Method E for the reason that championship’s inception again in 2014, throughout which period it has taken 5 victories and completed a season-best of third within the 2015-16 groups’ championship.

Different producers together with Nissan, Jaguar, Porsche, Maserati and Lola have all dedicated to Method E’s Gen4 rules over the past six months and that are set to return into impact for the 2026-27 season.

Motorsport.com understands {that a} delay in any determination from Mahindra centres round whether or not it joins as much as the brand new rules as a producer – one thing which it has carried out for the reason that championship was based – or enters as a buyer staff.

“Mahindra is dedicated to Method E. I feel dedication to the championship could be very excessive and being on this platform is smart for Mahindra [and it] is there for the reason that starting,” Bertrand informed Motorsport.com forward of the newest spherical in Mexico Metropolis final weekend.

“This has not modified, that is why we nonetheless examine, in any other case we must cease investigating.”

He added: “We wish to keep as a producer, however then there are such a lot of different objects we have to be certain of, so that is what we attempt to consider correctly however we nonetheless have time, to be sincere, to develop a automotive.”

Regardless of lacking a 31 December producer deadline as outlined by the FIA for Gen4, discussions between the governing physique and Mahindra are ongoing with it understood that an entry would nonetheless be accepted.

This is because of Mahindra being a founding member of the championship and on the technical working group, with Bertrand including that different OEMs ought to nonetheless be allowed to enter in the appropriate circumstances.

It was confirmed to Motorsport.com that Hyundai had held discussions with the FIA in latest months a few Gen4 entry, regardless of the Korean producer having introduced final yr it could be becoming a member of the World Endurance Championship with an LMDh automotive.

“I nonetheless do not see the purpose the place there’s a deadline for them [FIA]. I feel that everyone will probably be good sufficient in case somebody, not even us, comes later and is prepared,” stated Bertrand.

“I feel one of many restrictions they’ve with the regulation is to commit on some deadline with the suppliers and some issues like that, to allow them to go on with these deadlines after which if somebody is coming later then they simply must readapt just a little bit.

“I do not see any motive why you’ll block somebody coming later if it feels they’re prepared. That is the large query mark: in case you come so late, will you be prepared?”