Mahindra Racing has unveiled its newest Formula E challenger, the M12Electro. This follows a resurgent Season 11, where the Indian team finished P4 in the teams’ championship, scoring more points than it did in Seasons 8, 9 and 10 combined. Mahindra will be looking to continue this upward trajectory in Season 12, which kicks off with the Sao Paulo E-Prix on December 6, 2025.
The team will continue with an unchanged driver line-up for the upcoming season, with both Nyck de Vries and Edoardo Mortara piloting the M12Electro. Kush Maini, meanwhile, will be returning as its reserve driver for Season 12.
- Mahindra finished P4 overall last season
- Formula E Season 12 testing on October 27-30
- Season 12 kicks off with Sao Paulo E-Prix on December 6
Mahindra M12Electro revealed
Valvoline joins Mahindra Racing as partner
The M12Electro sports a new metallic red, gloss white and carbon black livery. Mahindra also happens to be one of the founding teams of Formula E. This is reflected with 12 stripes on the M12Electro – one for every year the team has competed in the all-electric racing championship.
Further strengthening its ties with Mahindra’s automotive division, the M12Electro now also carries the company’s Born EV logo, also seen on the BE 6 and XEV 9e. Another key addition is that of Valvoline branding, with the lubricants company coming on board as an official partner.
“Through this technical collaboration, our teams are working closely to develop and test advanced e-fluids and gearbox technologies designed to enhance efficiency, durability and overall performance on the track,” explained Jamal Muashsher, president and chief executive officer of Valvoline Global.
He added, “Formula E provides the ultimate testing ground for innovation, and together with Mahindra, we’re proving that performance and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
Mahindra calls M12Electro an “evolution”
The M11Electro marked a significant turning point for Mahindra Racing, with major hardware changes. After three difficult years, the team has once again returned to consistent points-scoring form. The goal for Season 12 is to further build on that. Speaking with Autocar India, Mahindra Racing CEO and team principal Frederic Bertrand stressed that consistency will be a cornerstone of the team’s Season 12 efforts. “The goal is to capitalise on this,” he said.
Mahindra scored five podium finishes last year, but victory remained elusive. Bertrand is hoping to change that this year, stating, “What we would like to add is the taste of victory and to hear the Indian national anthem on the podium.”
The upcoming Season 12 will also be the last one with the current-generation cars, before Gen 4 is introduced later in 2026. Speaking to Autocar India, de Vries described the M12Electro as an evolution of its predecessor, but stressed the importance of paying attention to the small details, including software updates, to gain an edge over the competition.
“The change isn’t as big [as it was] from Season 10 to 11, so we’re really trying to optimise what we have,” de Vries said. He added, “We ended the season well, but we are heading into the last year of the current-generation cars. Naturally, that clusters everyone closer together, and that means you’ve got to be even more attentive to all the details because everyone has kind of figured it out by how.”
All the teams, including Mahindra, will shake down their Season 12 challengers for the first time at the pre-season test at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo on October 27-30.
Kush Maini returns as Mahindra Racing’s reserve driver
Mahindra has also announced that Maini will return as its reserve driver (he previously held the same role in Season 10). The Indian racer will take on an increased support role. This means that alongside participating in the Formula E rookie test and practice sessions, he’ll be attending as many races as possible, should they not clash with his other racing commitments.
“I’m really proud to continue as part of the Mahindra Racing family for a third season. It’s a great place for me to continue my development as a driver, but equally, it has a fantastic atmosphere at the moment,” said Maini.
“To have been a part of the team’s rebuild of the past two seasons has been an enjoyable and valuable experience for me, and I hope to contribute towards the team’s ongoing success.”
Dipan Sur
