Nissan is Gen3 Ready

A new era for Formula E means a new beginning for the Nissan Formula E Team. With a new driver lineup spearheading the team into Gen3, could this be the year the Japanese manufacturer finally blossoms in the fully electric motorsport series?

Back in December 2022, just two weeks before pre-season testing, the Nissan Formula E Team unveiled its new look for Gen3. Coated in the traditional red and white of Nissan, the car is also draped in cherry blossom, or ‘sakura’ to give it the true Japanese name.

“Our new livery celebrates our Japanese heritage and I’m certain that the design will stand out on the track like never before,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s Chief Operating Officer. It is a truly striking design, and although the new livery will help Nissan stand out on the grid, the team will be hoping to win more than ‘Best Dressed’ in Season 9.

“Formula E represents the pinnacle of EV technology, and we are confident this upcoming, next-generation series will deliver innovation and excitement on and off the track,” said Guillaume Cartier, Chairperson, Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania).

“With more than half of the races taking place within our diverse AMIEO region, our ability to implement road-to-track and tack-to-road knowledge exchange will directly contribute to the development of our electrified technologies and electric powertrains to deliver the best for our customers.”

Leading the charge this year is a refreshed lineup consisting of Norman Nato, former Formula E race winner and Jaguar TCS Racing’s reserve driver from last year, and 2022 Super Formula runner-up Sacha Fenestraz.

The pair replace the outgoing Max Guenther and Seb Buemi, who endured a difficult season last year, finishing a lowly ninth out of just eleven teams on the grid. It was time for change, and the start of Gen3 was the perfect time for an overhaul.

“This season is a new beginning for me, and one I’m extremely excited for,” Nato said. “Now, we have to keep focusing on getting ready for the season ahead, developing the car, and building relationships within the team so we are prepared for the first race in Mexico. It’s a good opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of as drivers. We have a lot of pressure, but it’s good pressure.”

With limited experience in Formula E, it is an exciting time for Nato’s partner, the French-Argentinian Fenestraz, who made his debut in the season finale last year, standing in for Antonio Giovinazzi in Seoul.

With a permanent seat on the grid, Fenestraz is confident Nissan can improve on last year’s performance. “It’s going to be a great season for us,” he said at Nissan’s Gen3 unveiling in Madrid. “It’s a whole new team with new expectations, and I’m really looking forward to sharing the season with Nissan and with Norman.

“It will be a big step forward in my career, to move up into a World Championship for the first time and to be competing at such a high level against some of the best drivers in the world. It’s going to be a different challenge for me as it will be my first season in an all-electric car. I’m excited to compete in this championship as street circuits are my favourite, with high risks and no room for errors. As a rookie in a new format, there is a lot of preparation to do and plenty to learn! I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a very long time, and I am very grateful to Nissan for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started and I’ll do everything to perform as best as I can.”

In Control

Guiding Sacha and Norman through the year will be Nissan Formula E Team’s Managing Director, Tommaso Volpe, who has been at the helm of the side for almost three years. For Tommaso, it is the beginning of a new era for Nissan, especially following the acquisition of the e.dams race team back in April.

“The upcoming campaign is a big moment for the series, with the introduction of the Gen3 cars,” he said. “But it’s also key for us at Nissan, with the team running under its new name as we take full ownership of all our operations in Formula E. All of us at Nissan are very excited for this new beginning, very motivated to tackle this new challenge, and very much looking forward to getting started.”

Tommaso was one of the key people behind the decision to bring in Norman and Sacha for the new season, with Nissan targeting a lesser experienced driver alongside a “proven winner” in Formula E. Although he said the dynamic between the pair has been good so far, Tommaso admits this strategy was a gamble.

“It’s a risk, for sure,” he said. “It’s a risk we were willing to take, and I think we will be paid back for it. Norman has proven to be a very talented driver in Formula E and in other series, and he brings a wealth of experience and skills to the team. As for Sacha, we have monitored his progress and performance over the past few years and have been very impressed. We believe he has great potential and that this is the right time to bring him into to the team. I am convinced that they will complement each other and the team very well. I can’t wait to see them both in action on track in our new Nissan Gen3 car.”

Volpe also thanked the outgoing pair of Guenther and Buemi for their contribution to the team: “I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Sébastien Buemi and Maximilian Günther for all their hard work, commitment and dedication during the last season, which has been a challenging yet a crucial one for us. Séb in particular has played a big role in the history of our team, after having been with e.dams for eight seasons, four of which with Nissan.

“We have grown and evolved with him over the years; his tremendous achievements, perseverance and enthusiasm will always be a part of who we are. To have had both Séb and Max as part of our team makes us very proud. We wish them every success in their careers, all the best in their new endeavours, and remain open to future collaborations.”