Nissan Formula E Team Sets Sights on a Strong Comeback in Mexico City
Nissan Formula E Team is primed for the second round of the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship this weekend at the Mexico City E-Prix.
Following the opening event in São Paulo, which saw the squad fight at the front with both Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato demonstrating excellent speed throughout the weekend, the duo is set to get back to work in the motorsport-loving nation.
Having debuted in Season 2, the Mexico City E-Prix is a recurring fixture in the Formula E calendar, being held every year at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez apart from 2021. The event presents a rare challenge to all involved, being situated 2,250 meters above sea level, the highest altitude circuit Formula E travels to on the 2024/25 calendar.
One of the most visited tracks in Formula E history, the venue offers a unique experience, with the stunning stadium section engulfing the cars in crowd cheers as they navigate their way through the tricky Turns 13-18, before being launched onto the long start/finish straight.
Nissan has a rich history in Mexico, having operated there for more than 60 years. The company established its first manufacturing plant outside Japan in the country back in 1966. Over 14 million vehicles have been produced in Mexico, with more than 15 million engines also being made, for both local and international markets. The company sold more than 240,000 cars in the country in 2023, equaling a huge 17.7% of the market share, more than any other brand.
Track action begins on Friday at 17:00 (UTC-6), with qualifying at 09:40 on Saturday ahead of the race at 14:00.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “The team is raring to go and ready to bounce back after Brazil. Mexico is a massive market for Nissan, with four of the top-10 best selling cars being Nissan models. The brand has been the leading car manufacturer in the country for 16 years, so we’re excited to get out there! The new all-wheel drive will be very interesting around this track, and we’re confident that we can achieve a strong weekend after the performance and the great pace we showed in pre-season testing and especially in São Paulo. We’re proud to be the favorite team amongst the Mexican Formula E fans and we’re ready to give it our best shot, put on a great show, and bring back home some good points.”
Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I can’t wait to hit the track in Mexico City after the break, it’s a circuit I know well and I’m confident that we can perform here. We showed plenty of promise in São Paulo, and now we will be focusing on not making any mistakes and turning our potential into strong points. Our objective will be to find the right set-up in practice, allowing us to qualify well and start the race from the front. Energy management is usually a challenge at this track, but we have made significant steps on this side during the off-season, so I’m feeling good ahead of the weekend.”
Norman Nato, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I really love racing in Mexico, so I am very much looking forward to this weekend. The people are amazing and Nissan Formula E Team is the most popular squad with the Mexican fans, so it is always a special experience and it makes us even more eager to deliver a great race. Since Brazil, it’s been important to mentally and physically recharge, but we’ve also done a very thorough job back at the factory to ensure that we start 2025 on the front foot. We’re ready to go and this time we’ll be looking to turn the performance into a strong result.”
Sérgio Sette Câmara, reserve and simulator driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “Mexico is always one of the most anticipated races of the season, the atmosphere in the city is very welcoming and the crowd creates an incredible noise. The track itself is an exciting prospect, with plenty of long, fast corners, including the famous Peraltada at the end of the lap. With the new all-wheel drive GEN3 Evo cars, it’s going to be awesome to see the field exit the final corner at full speed onto the pit straight! The altitude will also provide a challenge. It will be different to other series because Formula E does not rely on air intake, but the team will need to make sure they get the right set-up to deal with the reduced drag and downforce. The venue usually produces great racing and entertainment for the fans on site and at home, so I’m really looking forward to this one.”
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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.
On 28th March 2024, ahead of the first ever Tokyo E-Prix, Nissan announced its long term commitment to Formula E, becoming the first manufacturer to sign up for the Gen4 era, which runs until 2030, reinforcing its pledge to its Ambition 2030 electrification targets.
For Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers are Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato.
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 centers 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