Former BMW driver Alexander Sims will strap into the driver’s seat for Mahindra Racing in next season’s 2020/21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, which kicks off in January 2021. Highly experienced in both single-seaters and sports cars, the 32-year-old Londoner has been involved in Formula E since the series’ inception in 2014, initially testing cars before securing a race seat in Season 5 with BMW i Andretti Motorsport.

Commenting about his move to Mahindra Racing, Sims enthused, “I’m delighted to be joining Mahindra Racing and continuing my Formula E campaign. It is an exciting opportunity to bring on the team’s package and challenge for strong results.”

Sims completed the recently concluded 2019/20 Formula E season in 13th place. In his debut year in single seaters he finished second in the 2008 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship and the same year, won the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.

When he made the move to sports cars in 2012, Sims tasted victory again with the win in the 2016 Total 24 Hours of Spa, and taking Vice Champion honours in the 2015 British GT Championship and the 2017 ADAC Zurich 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring. He also took race wins in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2018.

A passionate advocate for sustainability and electric mobility, having owned and driven EVs since 2012, Sims aims to incorporate sustainable choices into his daily lifestyle. “Promoting sustainability and electric mobility is important to me personally and competing in Formula E provides a strong, innovative and forward-looking platform to raise awareness,” he said.

Welcoming Sims to the Mahindra Racing family, Dilbagh Gill, Mahindra Racing CEO and Team Principal, said, “I’m extremely excited about working with him (Sims) and the prospect of what we can achieve together is motivating. In Sims, we have a proven racing talent plus someone that embodies what Mahindra Racing stands for with his personal principles in the areas of electrification and sustainability. He is an intellectual driver, a very nice guy and a team player; I’m enthused about what Season 7 will bring.”

After the big announcement, Alexander Sims spoke about his shift, racing career and driving electric cars on Straight Torque by Mahindra Racing. Here are some snippets from his interview.