Formula E: Roberto Merhi to Drive for Mahindra Racing Rest of Season 9, Daruvala Confirmed for Rookie Test

In the latest update from the Mahindra Formula E team, it has been confirmed that Roberto Merhi will continue to be a part of the team for the remaining four rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, which will take place in Rome and London. The former F1 driver was recruited to join Mahindra prior to the Jakarta round last month, as a replacement for Oliver Rowland. He was subsequently retained for the subsequent race in Portland. The Indian manufacturer has officially announced that Merhi will continue to be part of the team, partnering with Lucas di Grassi, for the upcoming double-header. Following Oliver Rowland's departure from Mahindra, Merhi successfully made his debut in the Formula E World Championship during the Jakarta E-Prix double-header. After receiving his invitation to join Mahindra, Merhi had to forgo participating in a round of his ongoing SUPER GT campaign. In the GT300 class, he competes for Team LeMans Audi. Despite this, Merhi says he has no plans to leave the Japanese championship and will continue to race in both SUPER GT and Formula E. 

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Roberto Merhi Racing Career

Roberto Merhi has a remarkable track record. Before joining the Manor Marussia F1 Team in 2015, he participated in and won the Formula Renault, Spanish F3, and British F3 series, as well as the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.  Merhi is actively engaged in both single-seater and endurance racing disciplines. Notably, in the year 2020, he achieved the remarkable feat of securing the prestigious Asian Le Mans Series Drivers' Championship.

Roberto Merhi said,: “I’m really looking forward to jumping back into the car for the final two races of the season. I would like to thank Mahindra Racing for the opportunity and the trust they have shown in me. I know Rome and London are new tracks for me, which will make it a bit more challenging, but I will make sure I adapt quickly.”

Mahindra Racing CEO, Fred Bertrand, said: “I am delighted that Roberto will remain with the team until the end of Season 9. He has had two positive events with us, and we have been able to work closely and constructively with him towards our end goal of improving our car over the latter half of the season."

Also Read: Interview: How Frederic Bertrand Plans to Resurrect Mahindra Racing in Formula E

Formula E: Jehan Daruvala Confirmed for Rookie Test 

Mahindra also made a formal statement that they will be including rookie driver Jehan Daruvala in their squad for the forthcoming practise session in Rome. It is widely believed that Daruvala was initially the favoured candidate within the team to succeed Rowland. Unfortunately, as a result of a scheduling conflict arising from Daruvala's Formula 2 commitments, he unfortunately had to decline the offer to occupy the seat.

Jehan Daruvala said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to drive for the team at the Rookie test in Rome. We had a very successful test last time out in Berlin, so I’m looking forward to more of the same in Rome.”

Jehan has been a member of Mahindra Racing since the start of Season 9, and has subsequently participated in various races alongside the team in Diriyah, Hyderabad, Berlin, and Portland. He participated in the Official Rookie Test day held in Berlin, where he achieved the third fastest time during the morning session among the 23-car field.