Mahindra in Gen4 era customer team? Team principal Bertrand describes pros & cons of manufacturer status

Although Formula E's Gen4 car is not due to be fielded until season 13 (2026/27), planning is already in full swing. Mahindra's team principal Frederic Bertrand revealed to Motorsport Magazin that the Indians are considering becoming a customer team. The high costs as a works team and sporting factors play a role in the decision. But: "If we can stay as a manufacturer, we want to do that."

Looking at the manufacturers currently represented in Formula E, five of the six have already committed to the Gen4 era of the electric racing series: Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Stellantis and Lola Yamaha will all compete as manufacturers in the season after next. Only the future of the Indian team Mahindra is still unclear. It is toying with the idea of becoming a customer team again for the first time since season 1.

As Bertrand describes, the decision is characterised by two aspects: the sporting aspect and the financial aspect. "The customer team is more aforbable", he explains. By purchasing the powertrain from a manufacturer, the financial outlay for developing your own technology can be saved. You "cut the budget in half", he explains.

"It is still better to be a manufacturer"

However, he also recognises the sporting aspect, as the results of customer teams are generally not quite as good as those of manufacturers. A look at the teams' championship for the 2024/25 Formula E season shows that the works teams - Porsche, Jaguar and Nissan - all finished the season ahead of their customer teams.

In the past, Mahindra had a customer team at its side with ABT. However, this did not end well when the collaboration ended prematurely. "Both sides expected a slightly different performance and nobody is happy", ABT team principal Thomas Biermaier told Autosport at the time. A customer team can help with the further development and improvement of the porwertrain by providing information from more cars, not just the two works cars.

However, last season the Indian team raced alone. "Having four cars on the track instead of two would probably have helped us perform faster this season," admits Bertrand. More cars means more information on tyre temperatures, tyre management, tyre pressure and other parameters. It is precisely this extra data that Mahindra currently lacks, and a late decision could make the search for a new customer team even more difficult.

Another significant aspect: the development of the powertrain for the 13th season is already in full swing at the competition. Whether this gap can still be made up if Mahindra remains the works team is questionable. If Mahindra was to go down the route of a customer team, "then with someone who can provide us with a good package", says Bertrand.

Mahindra rebuild only a third complete

Despite the lack of a customer team, Mahindra recorded a sporting improvement in season 11: five podium finishes and fourth place in the world championship standings. The team even exceeded its self-imposed target of a top five finish. Bertrand attributes this progress to personnel and structural changes.

"Most people had the skills, but not necessarily the motivation or the belief", said the Frenchman. Those who did not have the necessary ambition had to leave the team. However, the rebuilding process is only a third complete. "The second third is to finish in the top 3 of the world championship, and the final third is to become world champion", says Bertrand. An ambitious goal in view of the competition from Porsche to Nissan.

By the end of the year at the latest, there should be clarity about the Gen4 future. Regardless of whether as a manufacturer or customer team - Mahindra wants to remain an integral part of Formula E in the future. For Bertrand, one thing is certain: "Would we be doing all this if we thought we couldn't do it?"