Formula E: Nissan backs Nato and Fenestraz for Season 9
Nissan has confirmed Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz for its all-new driver line-up ahead of Season 9 of the Formula E World Championship.
The pair will replace the outgoing Sebastien Buemi, a veteran of the series and former World Champion, and Max Guenther, who leaves after just one season with the manufacturer.
Nato, a Formula E race winner back in Season 6, makes his full-time return to the series with the Japanese manufacturer, having competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2022 and stepped in at Jaguar TCS Racing as its reserve driver for the injured Sam Bird in Seoul.
For Fenestraz, next season will mark his first full-time campaign in Formula E, following his debut at the final round of Season 8 at DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT – in place of Antonio Giovinazzi, who also missed out of race two through injury.
The French-Argentine racer won the Japanese Formula 3 title in 2019 and continues to compete in both Super Formula and the GT500 class of the Super GT championship. So far in 2022, the 23-year-old has taken victory in both championships and currently tops the Super GT standings.
Tommaso Volpe, General Manager, Nissan Formula E, and Managing Director, Nissan Formula E Team: “This is a significant moment for the team as we commence the Gen3 era, and we are very happy to welcome both Norman and Sacha on board. Season 9 will be our first season competing as one team, following Nissan’s acquisition of e.dams earlier this year, and also the beginning of our partnership with McLaren Racing.
“This marks a new era for the Nissan Formula E Team, and we believe that a combination of experience and the opportunity to nurture new talent is the right balance for us right now. In Norman and Sacha, we have found two strong drivers to fulfil our vision.
“At the same time, I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to Sebastien Buemi and Maximilian Guenther for all their hard work, commitment and dedication during the last season, which has been a challenging yet a crucial one for us. Seb 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.”
