Mahindra Racing signs Alexander Sims for 2021 Formula E season

Sims will replace Jerome d'Ambrosio at Mahindra Racing for the 2021 Formula E season, with the latter ending ties with the homegrown racing outfit after two years.

Mahindra Racing has announced that former BMW i Andretti Motorsport driver Alexander Sims will replace Belgian driver Jerome d'Ambrosio for the upcoming 2021 Formula E season, bringing the latter's two-year stint with the Indian racing outfit to an end. Though Mahindra Racing is yet to make an impact on the Formula E scene as a constructor, the team did enjoy some highs with d'Ambrosio, particularly after his stellar podium finish in the 2018 Diriyah ePrix and a race win at the 2019 Marrakesh ePrix.

As for Sims, the Brit has moved to Mahindra after a two-year stint at BMW. Though he had a very strong start to the recently-concluded 2019-20 season with a maiden victory in the Diriyah ePrix double-header, Sims failed to carry forward the momentum and managed to score just three points in the final six races of the Berlin finale. Therefore, he finished 13th overall in the driver standings.

While Sims is confirmed for the next season, Mahindra Racing is yet to take a final call on who his teammate will be. So far, new signee Alex Lynn, who was brought on board after Pascal Wehrlein's exit from the team mid-way through the 2020 season, is the most likely candidate to get the second seat at Mahindra. However, the final decision will be announced in the coming months. 

Sharing his thoughts on joining Mahindra Racing, Alexander Sims said, 'I’m delighted to join Mahindra Racing and continuing my Formula E campaign. It is an exciting opportunity to bring on the team’s package and challenge for strong results. I want to thank BMW i Andretti Motorsport for all its support during the past two seasons and wish the team well for the future.' 

Similarly, Mahindra Racing's team principal Dilbagh Gill welcomed Sims to the team by saying, 'I’m thrilled on behalf of the whole team to welcome Alexander. I’m extremely excited about working with him and the prospect of what we can achieve together is motivating. In Alexander, we have a proven racing talent plus someone that embodies what Mahindra Racing stands for with his personal principles in the areas of electrification and sustainability. At the same time, I would like to pay tribute to Jerome, who leaves us after two years with the team. We have had some great moments together, and I wish him all the very best as he moves on to new endeavours. He is a class act, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.'

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