Rookie pacesetter Maini more focused on helping Mahindra prep

Kush Maini may have made headlines by going quickest in the Rookie Free Practice Session ahead of the Jeddah E-Prix, but the headline-grabbing time was just a bonus in what was a session focused on wider productivity for the Mahindra team.

While intended to give inexperienced drivers track time in the series’ latest GEN3 Evo cars, it also gave teams more time to gather crucial data and run through procedures. And it paid off for Mahindra, with Edoardo Mortara being the only non-Nissan-powered car in the top four of FP1.

“When Formula E announced this Rookie practice session in Jeddah, it was an easy choice to put Kush back into the car, and I think his performance tonight demonstrates exactly why,” said team principal Frederic Bertrand. “It’s great to be quickest, but even more importantly, he did a strong, professional job in gathering important data for the weekend ahead on what is a new track for the championship, which will really assist us in preparing the car for Nyck [de Vries] and Edo.”

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While designated as a rookie, Maini (pictured, top) is no stranger to Formula E, having served as Mahindra’s reserve driver last season and participated in the rookie test after the Berlin E-Prix. It was, however, his first experience of the updated GEN3 Evo car with its four-wheel-drive in the 350 kW Attack Mode.

“It was fun pushing the limits, especially as we’re first out on track, so there are no onboards and you’re discovering a little bit,” said Maini. “To drive this new car in 350 kW mode was an amazing experience.

“The main goal was to run the test to help Nyck and Edo this weekend. We ticked all the boxes we needed for the race team, and I’m happy with how the day went. It’s always a great experience to drive for Mahindra.”