Nissan Formula E Team all set for Diriyah E-Prix

MANILA: The Nissan Formula E Team is now ready for the first double header of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Diriyah.

According to Nissan, the team saw a strong recovery drive in Mexico City. Driver Oliver Rowland and Sacha Fenestraz are determined to harness the pace of the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 and claim top-10 finishes in Saudi Arabia.

“We saw some encouraging signs in Mexico, even though the result was not what we wanted. Oliver and Sacha worked well as a team, showing that we have a strong driver pairing to build on for the season. We know we have a strong car, and our aim for Diriyah is to iron out any issues and ensure we can operate smoothly,” said Nissan Formula E Team Managing Director and Team Principal Tommaso Volpe.

“The double-header presents us with two opportunities to score points, so our focus will be on learning as much as we can from Friday's race to help us on Saturday, and perfecting our setup for a track that requires agility just as much as top speed. We're excited to be collaborating with Petromin Nissan for the championship's visit to Saudi Arabia once again. They represent a key partner in one of Nissan's most important markets, and we look forward to sharing the excitement of Formula E with their customers during the event,” he added.

Diriyah E-Prix is the only night race on the Formula E calendar. On that note, Nissan believes that it has earned its place among the most loved events in the series.

The street circuit — Nissan pointed out — provides a demanding yet exhilarating experience not only for the racers but also for the spectators.

“Diriyah is one of my favorite tracks on the Formula E calendar. Its blind corners and low margin for error make it exciting to drive, and I have fond memories of it as I scored my first ever Formula E points there. Though the final result in Mexico was not what we wanted, we showed good pace in qualifying, so our preparation has been focused on bringing this speed into the race. Naturally, double header events are always busy and tiring, but if we can work together to find consistency over the two races then I'm confident that we can come away with a strong haul of points,” Fenestraz commented.

The high-speed, downhill section between Turns 6-14 — Nissan noted — requires concentration and bravery to navigate. Meanwhile, high tire wear means that drivers must carefully regulate how much they push the car. This, combined with the strong chance of accidents and Safety Cars, often forces competitors to strike a balance between risk and caution to claim glory.

“Diriyah is a tough track to overtake on, so we need to maximize our performance in qualifying. Free Practice will be important, to get ourselves in a comfortable place ahead of the rest of the weekend. It's cool to race at night, it's the only one of the season and the show is always great for fans, so I’m excited to get started!” Rowland said.

On-track action will begin tomorrow, January 26, with Free Practice 1. Friday, Round 2, is reserved for qualifying with the race taking place later that day. The schedule will be repeated for Round 3 on Saturday.

Photos from Nissan

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