Mumbai made motorsport history on Saturday by hosting India first Formula E World Championship street race on a spectacular 2.8-km circuit that wound along the iconic Marine Drive seafront. Swiss driver Edoardo Mortara of Mahindra Racing took victory in a rain-shortened race of 22 laps after a safety car period caused by debris on the circuit. Over 80,000 spectators lined the streets and grandstands to watch the electric single-seaters race past the Arabian Sea at speeds exceeding 280 km/h, creating scenes that millions more watched on live television.
Maharashtra Chief Minister called the event a watershed moment for India motorsport landscape and announced Mumbai will host Formula E for at least four consecutive seasons under a long-term FIA agreement. Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said Mumbai delivered one of the best street race atmospheres in the championship history. Mahindra Racing, the only Indian team in Formula E, received deafening support from the home crowd. The race also showcased the potential for India to host other global motorsport events including the MotoGP and World Superbike Championship in coming years.