Mahindra’s MarcelSchrötter claimed a determined 12th place in today’s French GP, soldiering onin conditions that saw falls for more than half of the 33 starters to take thefirst points for the all-new Mahindra MGP-30 Moto3™ machine.
It was a cheering reward after a difficult weekendfor the Indian team, race-developing two of only four independently mademachines in a grid made up of fully-fledged over-the-counter production racers.
Marcel’s four points made up for Danny Webb’sdisappointment. The 21-year-old Englishman had started from pit lane, and waspicking his way forward through the spray and past the debris when he too fellvictim to the slippery conditions.
Schrötter (19, from Germany) had started fromthe back of the grid after problems in qualifying, and knew he faced an uphilltask. But he showed true grit as he battled sliding tyres and treacheroustarmac to bring the white-and-red machine home.
“It shows that you must never give up. We areworking hard to develop this new machine and there is a lot of work to do. Butif we all work together we can do it,” said Mahindra Racing COO MufaddalChoonia. .
The race, fourth of 17 rounds, was won by Frenchhome hero Louis Rossi, survivor of a leading group that was ravaged by crashes.
MARCEL SCHRÖTTER – 12th Position
We had so many problems this weekend and theconditions were treacherous. Our engine is quite aggressive, making it moredifficult in the wet. From the start, it was so difficult – so slippery youcould hardly go round the corners. By the end I just wanted to finish, even ifI lost positions. But it paid off, because so many other riders crashed, and Idid finish and it is good to get points.
DANNY WEBB – Did Not Finish
I had a problem on the grid and had to startfrom pit lane … they’d already gone when I got going. I overtook one personand had quite a nice rhythm. I could see I was starting to catch Marcel, then Itried a little bit too hard, and the bike was down. We’ve had loads of problemsthis weekend, but we’ll keep trying and we’ll be alright.
Ends
aboutMahindra Racing
Mahindra Racing is the first Indian team toparticipate 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 teamsigned off its 2011 debut season on a high note with action packed performancesby both its riders. Marcel Schrötter finished 15th overall in the 125cc Rider’sChampionship and the team finished a strong third overall in the Constructor’sChampionship. Danny Webb made history when he secured pole position in Valenciain the last race of the 125cc era. The team takes this learning into itsparticipation in the all new Moto3™ class which replaced the 125cc class fromthe 2012 season onwards.
In the CIV in Italy, the team has teamed upIndian rider Sarath Kumar with ex Italian Champion Riccardo Moretti in the 125GP Class. The team became the first from India to win an international motorsportevent when Riccardo took the chequered flag at the season-opening race of theCIV in Mugello, Italy on 25 March, 2012. Another brilliant victory on the Imolacircuit on 8 April, 2012, established Moretti and his team firmly at the top ofthe standings.
For further information please visit: www.mahindraracing.com
About The Mahindra Group
The Mahindra Group focuses on enabling people to rise.Mahindra operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying aleadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, information technology andvacation ownership. Mahindra has a presence in the automotive industry,agribusiness, aerospace, components, consulting services, defence, energy,financial services, industrial equipment, logistics, real estate, retail, steeland two wheelers.
A US $14.4 billion multinational group based inMumbai, India, Mahindra employs more than 144,000 people in over 100 countries.
In 2011, Mahindra featured on the Forbes Global 2000list, 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 inits list of India’s Top 500 Companies. In 2010, Mahindra featured in the CreditSuisse Great Brands of Tomorrow.
In 2011, Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Korea’sSsangYong Motor Company.
