Nissan Formula E Team returns to Rome for penultimate event of Season 9

2023/07/12

ROME, Italy – Nissan Formula E Team will be looking to capitalize on their recent qualifying speed as the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship travels to Rome for the penultimate race weekend of the 2022/23 season.

Both Sacha Fenestraz and Norman Nato have shown strong one-lap pace in recent events, with the duo lining up second and third on the grid respectively last time out in Portland.

Now, the team is aiming to convert that qualifying pace into points as it takes on the double-header in the Italian capital, with Formula E set to visit the city for the fifth time.

Debuting on the calendar in 2018, the Circuito Cittadino dell'EUR is a driver and fans' favorite thanks to its challenging layout. The 3.38-kilometre track features 19 corners and winds past several Roman landmarks, including the Marconi Obelisk and Palazzo dei Congressi.

Qualifying in Rome will get underway at 10:40 CEST (UTC +2) on both days, with the two races starting at 15:00 CEST. Find out how to watch here.

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: "Rome is a very different circuit to Portland. It's bumpy, low grip and has fewer high-speed corners. One-lap pace is definitely our strength right now, and qualifying will be crucial here, as the track is narrower and there are less overtaking opportunities. We also have the FP0 in Rome, which will give our sim driver Luca an opportunity to get out on track at his home race and help us prepare for the event. Luca has experience with the car and he has been working a lot on this track in the simulator, so the data from this session with him will be very valuable for us.

"To be quick in Rome, we'll need to manage the bumps well - drivers must have full confidence in the car on such a challenging circuit. We brought several updates to the last round in Portland, and we believe they will make even more of a difference on a track like Rome. We're also expecting there to be less of an emphasis on energy saving, which will change the way we tackle the weekend."

Sacha Fenestraz, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "I'm very excited to be back racing in Europe. It's important that we have a good weekend because it's a double header and there's just two race events to go. I've not experienced the Rome track before, but everyone knows that it's extremely bumpy and difficult, so I'm looking forward to getting in the car and putting together a good race to achieve some positive results this weekend."

Norman Nato, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "I love the Rome layout, it's one of the best tracks on the calendar. It's a proper street circuit, with a bumpy layout. I've always had a good feeling at this venue ever since my rookie year. Over the last couple of months we've improved our performance in qualifying and the race, and we're focusing on showing our pace in Rome and scoring strongly on both days."

Luca Ghiotto, sim driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "I'm really excited to drive the Nissan E-4ORCE 04 this weekend and it will be even more special in Rome, at my home E-Prix. I've been looking forward to this, it's the highlight of my year! I've done a lot of work in the simulator and really enjoyed the track layout, so can't wait to get out there for real. The FP0 is a one-off session, so it will be an opportunity for teams to get more time on track and prepare for the event. I'm happy to have this opportunity to help the team this weekend."

About Nissan in Formula E
Nissan made its all-electric racing debut in Season 5 (2018/19) of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, becoming the first and only Japanese manufacturer to enter the series.

In Season 7 (2020/21), 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.

For Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers will be Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz.

Nissan races in Formula E 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 every all-new vehicle offering 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.

About Formula E
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship became the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint from inception back in 2020, having invested in certified climate-protecting projects in all race markets to offset emissions from every season of electric racing.

All cars in the championship are powered by electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.

The World's greatest manufacturers race against each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centres in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.

Contact
Maria De Juana
Head of Communications, Formula E, Nissan Motor Co.
Phone: +33-6 17 36 37 61
mdejuana@nissan-europe.com