Nissan made its all-electric racing debut in Season 5 (2018/19) of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series and competing in partnership with the e.dams race team as Nissan e.dams.
In its first season, Nissan e.dams finished fourth in the FIA Formula E Teams' Championship with six podiums and five pole positions. The squad also achieved 16 Super Pole shoot-out qualifying appearances, becoming the best qualifying team of the season, and ended its campaign with a maiden victory at the New York E-Prix.
Nissan e.dams further improved its results in Season 6 (2019/20), taking second in the Teams' Championship with one victory, five podiums, a pole position, and six consecutive Super Pole qualifying appearances.
In Season 7, Nissan announced its long-term involvement in Formula E and its commitment to the Gen3 era, which will run from Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series.
In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams race team, with the Japanese automaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
In June 2022, Nissan announced it would supply its Nissan EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing for the entirety of the Formula E Gen3 era, further demonstrating its commitment and involvement in Formula E.
Season 9 (2022/23) will be the first of the highly anticipated Gen3 homologation and Nissan's fifth in Formula E. It will also mark a new era for the Japanese automaker, as it will be competing in Formula E as one team for the first time as Nissan Formula E Team.
The striking new Cherry Blossom livery on the NISSAN e-4ORCE 04 highlights and commemorates a new age not only for the championship, but for the team itself.
Nissan Formula E Team also has a brand-new driver lineup for the upcoming season, blending experience and youth with Formula E race winner Norman Nato and 2022 Super Formula runner-up Sacha Fenestraz both joining the team. Frenchman Nato will compete in the #17 car, while Franco-Argentine Fenestraz will take to the wheel of the #23 machine.
Nissan is a world-leading expert in the design and manufacture of exciting all-electric vehicles. With more than 600,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles sold since the model debuted in 2010, Nissan made use of its existing EV experience to develop its Formula E race car.
In turn, the lessons learnt on the racetrack help shape the next generations of EVs from the Japanese car maker.
Nissan races in this all-electric world championship to bring the excitement and fun of zero-emission electric vehicles to a global audience. As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify all its new vehicles by the early 2030s in key markets. The Japanese automaker aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.
Nissan Formula E Team Management
Tommaso Volpe - General Manager and Managing Director, Nissan Formula E Team
Volpe has a wealth of motorsports experience. In 2020 he was Appointed as Nissan's Global Motorsports Director, overseeing Nissan's Formula E, Super GT, Prototype and GT3 racing programs.
From 2014 to 2020, he led the INFINITI motorsports program. Volpe strengthened the role of INFINITI in F1, transforming it from sponsor to technical partner to Renault F1® Team - including the co-development of the race car's Energy Recovery System, championing the INFINITI Engineering Academy, and developing the INFINITI Project Black S high-performance road car.
Before his time at INFINITI, Volpe was head of marketing at Lotus Cars, overseeing road car marketing and the Lotus F1 Team partnership. Volpe started his automotive career with Ferrari in 2008, as corporate marketing manager at the company's headquarters. Before that, he worked at Johnson & Johnson and KPMG.
An Italian national, Volpe is based at Nissan's European headquarters in Paris. He has a master's degree in economics from the University of Naples Federico II.
Nissan Formula E Team Drivers
Norman Nato is a Formula E race winner who is making his full-time return to the series with Nissan, after having competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2022. The 30-year-old Frenchman had a stellar junior career, winning races in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, GP2 Series and FIA Formula 2, while also taking an overall second place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020.
“I'm very happy to be making my comeback as a full-time driver in Formula E with Nissan,” said Nato. “The Gen3 era will be a new chapter for the championship, and I'm excited to prepare for testing and drive the car. The hard work starts now - I have a lot to learn and areas to develop in with the team to be at my best for the first round of Season 9 in Mexico City.”
DOB: 8 July 1992
Hometown: Cannes, France
Nationality: French
For Fenestraz, Season 9 will mark his first full-time campaign in Formula E, following his debut at the final round of Season 8. The Franco-Argentine racer won the Japanese Formula 3 title in 2019 and continued to compete in the country in both Super Formula and the GT500 class of the Super GT championship. The 23-year-old took victory in both championships in 2022, finishing as runner-up in Super Formula.
“It's a dream come true,” commented Fenestraz. “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.”
DOB: 28 July 1999
Hometown: Annecy, France
Nationality: Franco-Argentine
Nissan Formula E race car
Season 9 (2022/23) will mark the beginning of the highly anticipated Formula E Gen3 era, which will run through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series. The third generation Formula E race car follows on from the original Gen1 car (2014-2017) and its Gen2 follow-up (2018-2022).
Gen3 cars will produce 600kW of total power between the new drive motor at the rear axle, generating 350kW, and the front-mounted standard 250kW motor.
With 40% more power than in Gen2 and a top speed over 320 km/h, the new cars will be lighter and smaller, enabling faster, more agile wheel-to-wheel all-electric racing. More than 40% of the energy will be produced by regenerative braking, an increase from 25% achieved by Gen2 cars. The batteries will also be recycled at the end of their life service.
Gen3 cars are 60kg lighter than Gen2, largely through the removal of rear brakes and a smaller battery size. The cars will also be smaller to be better suited to racing on street circuits. Recyclable batteries, recycled carbon fibre from Gen2 cars, natural rubber and recycled fibres in Hankook's new tires will all feature in Gen3 as part of Formula E's carbon natural target and sustainability push.
Formula E Car Specs
|
|
Gen1 |
Gen2 |
Gen3 |
|
Length |
5320mm |
5160mm |
5016.2mm |
|
Height |
1050mm |
1050mm |
1023.4mm |
|
Width |
1780mm |
1770mm |
1700mm |
|
Wheelbase |
3100mm |
3100mm |
2970.5mm |
|
Weight (including driver) |
920kg (battery 450kg) |
900kg (battery 385kg) |
840kg |
|
Maximum power |
200kW |
250kW |
350kW |
|
Maximum regeneration |
100kW |
250kW |
600kW |
|
Top speed |
140mph |
174mph |
200mph |
|
Powertrain |
Rear |
Rear |
Front and Rear |
|
Tires |
Michelin |
Michelin |
Hankook |
Formula E Gen3 car - Technical Overview
- The world's most efficient racing car – at least 40% of the energy used within a race will be produced by regenerative braking during the race.
- The first formula car with both front and rear powertrains: a new front powertrain adds 250 kW to the 350 kW at the rear, more than doubling the regenerative capability of the current Gen2 cars to a total of 600 kW.
- The first formula car that will not feature rear hydraulic brakes due to the addition of the front powertrain and its regenerative capability.
- An electric motor delivering up to 350 kW of power (470 bhp), capable of a top speed of 200 mph (320 km/h), with a power-to-weight ratio that is twice as efficient as an equivalent 470 bhp internal combustion engine (ICE).
- Lighter and smaller than the Gen2 cars to enable faster, more agile wheel-to-wheel racing.
Season 9 Livery
The new livery for the 2022/23 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship features an eye-catching cherry blossom pattern. Also known as Sakura, the team's choice to incorporate this iconic flower in its Season 9 livery is not only a nod to the squad's Japanese DNA, but it also symbolizes and celebrates a new beginning.
The upcoming campaign will mark the start of the highly anticipated Gen3 era, and it will also be the first time for Nissan in Formula E competing as one team and under its new name. The striking new livery on the NISSAN e-4ORCE 04 highlights and commemorates a new age not only for the Championship but for the team itself.
Partners
Shell
Shell will continue its long-standing partnership with the team into Season 9, demonstrating its commitment to Formula E. The partnership supports Shell in its continued development of its specialised Shell E-fluids, designed to optimise the efficiency of EVs, and its expanding Shell Recharge charging network, as it aims to become the global leader in EV charging services.
István Kapitány, Global Executive Vice President of Shell Mobility said: “Through our partnership with Nissan in Formula E, we are taking experience gained on the track and using it to create better products and services for our EV customers on the road. Formula E is an important testing ground for the development and production of cleaner energy products, including Shell Recharge, Shell E-fluids and other new energy products.”
Nissan Electric Mobility
From the pioneering first version in 2010 to the LEAF e+ introduced in 2019, the 600,000 customers who have chosen the LEAF have helped drivers around the world realize the benefits of electric vehicles, both in terms of sustainability and in their daily lives.
Nissan estimates that LEAF owners have driven their cars approximately 16 billion kilometres (around 10 billion miles) cumulatively, worldwide, preventing more than 2.5 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere.
Today's customers also expect electric cars to make their daily lives more enjoyable. Nissan is developing a growing line up of advanced electrified cars and technologies that meet a wide range of needs and help customers feel more confident, connected and excited.
In 2020, Nissan unveiled the Nissan Ariya all-electric crossover. The Ariya embodies Nissan's strengths in electric vehicle development and features the latest in Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies and design.
The Ariya is a key model in the company's Nissan NEXT transformation plan, under which Nissan plans to sell one million electrified vehicles annually by the end of fiscal 2023, including EVs and vehicles with e-POWER electrified powertrains.
Nissan LEAF
In 2020, Nissan celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Nissan LEAF electric car and the delivery of more than 600,000 LEAF vehicles since the model was first introduced.
Produced at plants in Japan, the U.S. and the U.K., the zero-emission Nissan LEAF is sold in 59 markets around the world. As its battery capacity, performance and efficiency have continued to improve, the LEAF has evolved from a city commuter to a versatile car that meets a wide range of customer needs and lifestyles.
Nissan Ariya
The all-new Nissan Ariya is an electric crossover that lets customers travel farther while enjoying greater driving excitement, confidence and comfort, and connectivity.
With a 100% electric powertrain, the Ariya promises powerful acceleration and smooth, quiet operation. Drivers and passengers can relax and enjoy the ride thanks to autonomous driving technology, concierge-level assistance, seamless connectivity, and a spacious, lounge-like interior. With an estimated range of up to 610 kilometers (based on Japan WLTC cycle, subject to homologation), the no-compromise Ariya is perfect for daily commutes and weekend road trips alike.
The Nissan LEAF NISMO RC
Nissan's world-leading expertise in electric vehicles and top-class motorsports experience have seamlessly come together in the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC – an exhilarating showcase of the power, innovation and excitement of Nissan electric vehicle technology.
The all-wheel-drive LEAF NISMO RC boasts more than double the maximum power and torque output of its predecessor, which was based on the first-generation LEAF and revealed in 2011. Delivering 322 hp and 640 Nm of instantly available torque, the LEAF NISMO RC offers lightning-quick acceleration, achieving the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.4 seconds.
The creation of the latest LEAF NISMO RC is not just for show; it acts as a testbed for future technological evolution and showcases the limitless potential of Nissan electric vehicles. It explores what can be achieved with an all-electric twin-motor and all-wheel-drive drivetrain, expressing Nissan's dedication to continually evolve and improve its EV models for drivers worldwide.
The LEAF NISMO RC shares its advanced technology with the Nissan LEAF road car – the world's pioneering EV launched in 2010 with more than 600,000 units sold worldwide.
The Nissan ARIYA Single Seater Concept
Nissan revealed its exciting new Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept in 2021 – a high-performance exploration, development and demonstration project of how the all-electric Nissan Ariya road car powertrain could be used in a bespoke single-seater racing car chassis.
With this concept, Nissan wanted to showcase the high-performance potential of the Ariya's powertrain in a motorsports-inspired package that not only hints at the design and styling of the road car that inspired it, but that also demonstrates a new and efficient EV performance language.
Nissan's participation in the FIA Formula E World Championship played a key role in inspiring the Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept. Nissan competes in Formula E not only to race on track but also to support the development of compelling electric vehicles for customers. Nissan's EV programs inform the Formula E program and vice versa, allowing for road-to-track technology transfer as well as track-to-road.
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Nissan Brain to Performance
Nissan Brain to Performance is an exciting and cutting-edge program that uses advanced brain imaging and analysis to determine the anatomical specifics of high performance, professional drivers' brains. Now the drivers' brains have been mapped, a bespoke brain training program is being developed to enhance brain performance in the search for greater performance on the Formula E track. In the future, the cutting-edge research could potentially help improve the driving skills of the average driver and inform the development of Nissan's road-going EVs.
Contacts, Social Media Channels and Further Information
Maria De Juana
Head of communications, Nissan global motorsports
Phone: +33-6 17 36 37 61
mdejuana@nissan-europe.com
Ruth Grimoldby
Press officer, Nissan global motorsports
Phone: +44 7553630060
rgrimoldby@prismteam.com
For more information about Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.'s products, services and our commitment to sustainable mobility, visit Nissan-Global.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, and view our latest videos on YouTube.
Get more information about Nissan in motorsport on NISMO.com.
Formula E Overview
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is an all-electric racing series that takes place on specially constructed city centre street circuits around the world. In some instances, the championship also races on permanent motorsport circuits. The races are called E-Prix.
Season 9 Race Schedule (2022/23)
|
Pre- Season testing Valencia, Spain |
Dec 11-14 |
|
R1 Mexico City, Mexico |
Jan 14 |
|
R2 Diriyah, Saudi Arabia |
Jan 27 |
|
R3 Diriyah, Saudi Arabia |
Jan 28 |
|
R4 Hyderabad, India |
Feb 11 |
|
R5 Cape Town, South Africa |
Feb 25 |
|
R6 Sao Paulo, Brazil |
March 25 |
|
R7 Berlin, Germany |
April 22 |
|
R8 Berlin, Germany |
April 23 |
|
R9 Monaco, Monaco |
May 6 |
|
R10 TBC |
May 20 |
|
R11 Jakarta, Indonesia |
June 3 |
|
R12 Jakarta, Indonesia |
June 4 |
|
R13 TBC |
June 24 |
|
R14 Rome, Italy |
July 15 |
|
R15 Rome, Italy, |
July 16 |
|
R16 London, UK |
July 29 |
|
R17 London UK |
July 30 |
Teams
For the 2022/23 season, the FIA Formula E World Championship will be made up of 11 teams with two cars and drivers each. Twenty-two cars will line up on the grid for each race. Nissan races alongside some of the world's biggest automotive brands. Many of the teams, like Nissan, have a rich and successful history in motorsport.
Championship and standings
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship consists of two separate titles - one dedicated to the drivers and another dedicated to the teams. The Drivers' World Championship is awarded to whichever driver has accumulated the most points over the season. The Teams' World Championship is decided by the combined points score of each team's driver line-up throughout the campaign.
Points system
Formula E follows a standard points system, used in other FIA-sanctioned series - awarding points to the top-10 finishers.
- 1st - 25pts
- 2nd - 18pts
- 3rd - 15pts
- 4th - 12pts
- 5th - 10pts
- 6th - 8pts
- 7th - 6pts
- 8th - 4pts
- 9th - 2pts
- 10th - 1pt
Additional points are also awarded for securing Julius Baer Pole Position and clinching the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap in the race.
The driver starting at the front, from Julius Baer Pole Position, picks-up an extra three points.
During the race, the driver who completes the fastest lap also receives one additional point. However, the driver must finish in the top 10 places to gain the TAG Heuer Fastest Lap. If not, then the driver in the top 10 with the next fastest lap takes the honor.
Julius Baer Pole Position: 3 points
TAG Heuer Fastest Lap in the race: 1 point (if in a top-10 finishing position)
Race day format
Practice
Each event has two practice sessions - an opening 30-minute session on a Friday, followed by a further 30-minute session on Saturday. This is reduced to one 30-minute session on the second day of a doubleheader.
This is the first time the teams and drivers will take to the track under timed conditions as they get a feel for the track and adapt to the car set-up. Although the timer is on, it doesn't count towards the result. After all, it's just a practice session.
Teams must field at least two rookie drivers in Free Practice 1 over the course of the season, to give up-and-coming talent a taste of top-tier electric motorsport.
POWER: 350KW IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT.
Qualifying
Formula E's qualifying format allows the best teams and drivers to showcase their speed and skill but maintains the possibility of any driver stepping up, pulling a lap out of the bag and firing themselves up the starting grid.
The Group stage sees two groups of 11 drivers, ordered based on their Drivers' World Championship position, battling at 300kW to set lap times in a 10-minute session, with the fastest four from each progressing into the Duels stage and the quarter-finals. The drivers who progress from each group then compete against one another in head-to-head Duels at 350kW for a place in the semi-finals. Then, the eventual quickest two drivers face off in the final Duel.
The winning driver of the final Duel takes Julius Baer Pole Position, while the runner-up lines up second. The semi-finalists will line up third and fourth, and the quarter-finalists between fifth and eighth - according to their lap times.
The fifth to 12th-placed drivers who competed in the pole sitter's group will fill the odd positions on the grid. The corresponding drivers from the other group will be classified in the even grid slots. So, if the polesitter comes from Group 1, the fifth-placed driver in Group 1 will line up ninth on the starting grid and the fifth-placed driver in Group 2 takes 10th and so on.
POWER: 300KW IN GROUP AND 350KW IN DUELS.
E-Prix
Races, or E-Prix, begin with a standing start, meaning the cars are stationary until the lights go green. The drivers line up on a dummy grid - a short distance behind the actual grid - and slowly file into position to start the race. The E-Prix lasts for a predetermined number of laps.
Laps can be added for Safety Car and Full Course Yellow interruptions, with the total laps to be added announced three laps prior to the end of the E-Prix.
Introduced for the 2018/19 season was ATTACK MODE, which lets every driver pick up an extra hit of power at their own risk. To fire up ATTACK MODE, drivers will need to arm their car, drive off the racing line, and through the Activation Zone. As a reward for taking a slower line through the corner, they'll be able to collect an extra 50kW of power – 350kW from the stock race power deployment of 300kW. Drivers can choose to secure the extra speed if they want to race harder, giving them the edge to keep ahead of the competition or make moves up the pack. The time ATTACK MODE is armed is published by the FIA pre-race.
Later in Season 9, ATTACK CHARGE, using pioneering battery and charging technology, will allow the newer, smaller, lighter Gen3 cars to receive an in-race energy boost via a pit stop – delivered at a lightning-quick 600kW. This mandatory 30-second stop will unlock two Attack Mode periods with the cars running at 350kW vs the stock 300kW.
Double-header
Most events take place over a single day in order to minimize disruption to the host city. Some events stretch to two days with double the amount of action - these are referred to as double-headers. The schedules are mirrored from each day, with only one 45-minute practice session on the second day.
Tires and allocation
The bespoke 18-inch treaded all-weather tires used by all teams and drivers are supplied by Hankook – the official tire supplier of the FIA Formula E World Championship. Each driver can use no more than four new rear and four new front tires for each event. For a double-header, drivers are given six front and rear tires to use across the whole weekend.
Charging times
Charging the car is forbidden during both qualifying and the race, as well as throughout Parc Fermé and scrutineering. Teams can charge the cars in-between sessions and during practice.
e-Licence
Just like a driving licence for the road - Formula E drivers must qualify to participate. In order to enter the FIA Formula E Championship, drivers must comply with the following:
- Drivers must conduct a specific FIA training session focussing on electrical safety, and specific features of the fully-electric Formula E car, as well as reviewing both technical and sporting aspects of the series.
- Drivers must have accumulated at least 20 points in the past three years, in conjunction with the FIA points system - used to qualify for a Super Licence. Or, to have previously been holding a Super Licence, or to have participated in at least three events of the previous FIA Formula E World Championship.
- The champion from the previous season automatically qualifies for a Super Licence the following year.
If these points aren't met - a driver judged by the FIA to have consistently demonstrated outstanding ability in single-seater categories, but with little or no opportunity to qualify, can still participate.
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