Mahindra to exit Moto3 next year

Mahindra Racing will pull out of Moto3 as a manufacturer at the end of the 2017 season to focus its motorsport efforts on Formula E.

The Indian company joined the junior class of MotoGP in 2011 as a team, before focusing its efforts on being a bike and engine supplier from 2015 onwards. It enjoyed a breakthrough 2016 season as it won three races and rider Francesco Bagnaia took fourth in the standings.

However, Mahindra's performance has nosedived this year, with its three teams failing to score points in four of the first seven races of this season.

Ruzbeh Irani, the Mahindra Group's president of group communications and ethics, and chief brand officer, put its Moto3 exit down to a shift in strategy towards electric mobility and Formula E, where it scored its first victory in Berlin this year.

"Formula E is providing us with an excellent international platform to raise awareness of the Mahindra Group, our technological capabilities and our mobility solutions on a global scale," explained Irani.

"Our strategic review of Mahindra Racing and Mahindra's two-wheeler businesses led us to the decision to withdraw from MotoGP.

"It has been a tremendous journey, and we would like to thank all of our staff, partners and collaborators who have contributed to our success during our seven years in the sport."
Mahindra currently supplies bikes to the factory-supported Aspar squad, customer outfit CIP and sister brand Peugeot.

The move could also free up funds for a potential Dakar Rally project, with a modified version of Mahindra's Super XUV500, which is currently being used in the Indian Rally Championship.