Mixed Fortunes for Mahindra Racing at the Portuguese Grand Prix

Estoril – Sunday, 6 May, 2012: Mahindra rider Marcel Schrötter overcame first-lap problems to secure a solid top-20 finish in today’s Portuguese GP. But team-mate Danny Webb succumbed to a small but costly problem, forced to pull into the pits to retire after only eight of the 23 laps of the 4.182-km Estoril circuit.

His problem was a split radiator hose – the most minor of peripheral components, but a heartbreak for the 21-year-old British rider after his best-yet qualifying position on the all-new Mahindra MGP-30 Moto3 machine. Webb was 18th on the grid, with high hopes of a top-15 points-scoring finish.

Unlike the majority of the Moto3 field, made up of proprietary over-the-counter production racers from established firms, the white-and-red Mahindra is an all-independent venture, which will give the first Indian company in motorcycle grand prix racing the benefit of developing technology on its own account. The 250cc single-cylinder four-stroke is still in its earliest stages of development, but already moving forward in the pack.

“We have been working to achieve reliability, so it is a pity that a small low-cost component like this should stop Danny,” said team manager Nicola Casadei.

By contrast, Schrötter’s bike didn’t miss a beat. He had qualified 23rd, but a slow getaway put him 28th at the end of the first lap. By the finish he had picked his way through to 19th, well ahead of the group behind him, but with those ahead still tantalisingly out of reach.

The race was won by German rider Sandro Cortese (KTM).

MARCEL SCHRÖTTER – 19th Position

My start was good, but as I went up through the gears it seemed to lose power and five or six riders went past. I had the same thing at the last race: it is something we must fix. After that it was difficult, because I was with slower riders who held me up on the corners, but were a bit faster on the straights. Eventually I got ahead. After that I was alone, keeping a constant gap behind me, but with the others too far in front.

DANNY WEBB – Did Not Finish

Sometimes you have days like this. I had high hopes for the race, and the bike has been running well ... then a little ten-cent component failed. As you can imagine, I’m not happy. We’ve been improving steadily, so I don’t think we deserved this.

About Mahindra Racing

Mahindra Racing is the first Indian team to participate in the FIM MotoGP™ World Motorcycle Racing Championship (in 2011) and the Italian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (CIV, in 2012).  

On the world stage, the Indian factory team signed off its 2011 debut season on a high note with action packed performances by both its riders. Marcel Schrötter finished 15th overall in the 125cc Rider's Championship and the team finished a strong third overall in the Constructor's Championship. Danny Webb made history when he secured pole position in Valencia in the last race of the 125cc era. The team takes this learning into its participation in the all new Moto3™ class which replaced the 125cc class from the 2012 season onwards.

In the CIV in Italy, the team has teamed up Indian rider Sarath Kumar with ex Italian Champion Riccardo Moretti in the 125 GP Class. The team became the first from India to win an international motorsport event when Riccardo took the chequered flag at the season-opening race of the CIV in Mugello, Italy on 25 March, 2012. Another brilliant victory on the Imola circuit on 8 April, 2012, established Moretti and his team firmly at the top of the standings.

For further information please visit: www.mahindraracing.com

About The Mahindra Group

tractors, utility vehicles, information technology and vacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry, agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy, financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steel and two wheelers.

A US $14.4 billion multinational group based in Mumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.

In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000 list, a listing of the biggest and most powerful listed companies in the world. Dun & Bradstreet also ranked Mahindra at No. 1 in the automobile sector in its list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the Credit Suisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.

In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’s SsangYong Motor Company.

For further information, please visit www.mahindra.com  | Connect with us on www.facebook.com/mahindragroup

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