Mahindra scores at Aragon 125 GP

Mahindra riders Marcel Schrötter and Danny Webb claimed another double-points finish for the Indian team in today’s Aragon GP – finishing 11th and 15th in a windswept first race of the day at the spectacular 5.078-km circuit in the Spanish hinterland.

For Schrötter, it was confirmation of his improving form. He had qualified 15th, but made a flying start and gained places in a tight group. What he was losing on the very long straight he was regaining in the corners.

By half distance, however, the race got tougher for the 18-year-old German, with the problem of numbness in his right hand turning it into an ordeal. But he kept pushing to add another five points to his growing total.

Webb (20, from England) had a bigger hill to climb, after a troubled qualifying session saw him start in 23rd position. But a last-minute change in chassis settings meant he was soon able to start gaining places, moving up into the top 15. Though he was also struggling by the end, he was able to hold on for 15th, meaning more points for the team.

This was the third time in 13 races that the striking silver-and-red Mahindra machines – the only bikes on the grid with both engine and chassis made by the team – had both riders in the points. This is the Indian multinational’s first year of motorcycle GP racing.

“I always want better, but it is good for both to score points,” said team manager Nicola Casadei.

“For the first ten laps Marcel was faster than the rider who came ninth. Without his hand problem he should always be in the top ten. Danny has had problems at the two races since he crashed at Indy, which I think is because of his injured hand. He tried hard today.”

The next race is in two weeks at Motegi in Japan, with just four of 17 rounds left to complete Mahindra’s debut year.

MARCEL SCHRÖTTER – 11th Position

“I made a good start and I was able to pass some people and get in a good group. But Adrian Martin was faster than me on the straight, and though I was quicker in the corners I couldn’t make a break. After seven or eight laps my hand started to go numb like always, so it was a struggle to keep the pace. But I can be happy with my position, and I hope to do the same or better at the races for the rest of the year.”

DANNY WEBB – 15th Position

“It’s a lot better than yesterday! I didn’t have full confidence in the bike, but we changed back to the settings we had before Indy, and so that over the race distance I could push harder and the first ten laps were good. Towards the end I couldn’t improve my position, but we came away in the points, which is better than I had expected after yesterday’s qualifying.”