Nissan Formula E Team is set to face the ExCel London Circuit in Rounds 15 and 16 of the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the final two races of the campaign.
The squad currently sits fifth in the Teams’ Championship, and is still in the battle for third as Season 10 reaches its close.
Oliver Rowland has enjoyed a strong year on his return to the team, and will make a comeback following the illness that ruled him out of the Portland double-header. The Brit is targeting a positive end to the campaign in front of his home fans in East London.
On the other side of the garage, Sacha Fenestraz will be looking to end his second year with the team strongly by returning to the points.
The 2.09-kilometer track is the only half-indoor, half-outdoor circuit on the Formula E calendar, weaving through the ExCel exhibition center, and around the historic Royal Victoria Docks. Overtaking is likely into Turn 1, as well as in the outside section into the Turn 10-11 chicane, before coming back inside at Turn 16.
Formula E’s trip to the United Kingdom celebrates another country that Nissan has a great working relationship with, as Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK was founded back in 1984, with production starting two years later. Based in Sunderland, England, the plant employs around 6,000 people and builds more than 300,000 cars per year. As part of its EV36Zero plan, the plant announced it will build three electric cars – the LEAF, Qashqai and Juke – in the coming years and create a blueprint for the future of automotive manufacturing.
Ahead of this weekend’s double-header, Nissan Formula E Team will be releasing the latest and final edition of the ‘Sounds of Season 10’ playlist, which has been created specifically for the ExCel London Circuit by German contemporary composer Mathias Rehfeldt.
The ‘Electric Legacy’ series reflects the unique diverse cultural spirit and racing passion of key Formula E race cities. The London edition will be available online from July 19, in the meantime, you can listen to previous versions dedicated to Monaco, Tokyo and Misano, on the full playlist here.
Track action gets underway with FP1 on Friday, while qualifying starts at 12:20 (UTC+1) and the E-Prix at 17:00 (UTC+1) on both Saturday and Sunday.
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “We’re ready to give it everything we’ve got going into London in our attempt to claim P3 in the Teams’ Championship. It’s a very tricky and technical circuit which can be made even more difficult if it rains, considering the semi-indoor layout. The surfaces also vary, with the smooth track inside giving way to the abrasive roads outside, meaning drivers have to adapt their style twice each lap.
“We’re pleased to welcome Oli back this weekend, and he will be fighting for a potential top-three finish in the Drivers’ Championship as well. We’re satisfied with the season so far, taking six podiums and currently sitting P5 in the Teams’ Championship. However, we know we can potentially climb higher up the rankings at this event, which is exactly what we intend to do.”
Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I’m delighted to be back after missing the last round in Portland, initially it was hard to accept but I’m now feeling much better and ready to take on the final round. It’s been a positive season with a win, several podiums and a couple of pole positions too, so I’ll be looking to add to this in London at a track I really enjoy. I’m looking forward to a home E-Prix because it’s an opportunity for friends and family who can’t normally attend to come and watch you race which will be lovely. However, it doesn’t change my objectives on track, both the teams’ and drivers’ standings are very tight, so I’m focused on delivering a competitive performance to finish strongly.”
Sacha Fenestraz, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “My target for the weekend is to end the season on a positive note after a campaign filled with ups and downs. London is one of the most challenging tracks of the year. It’s a very technical circuit mixed in with the changing surfaces and conditions from the unique inside/outside circuit layout. We’ve been in the simulator working hard ahead of the finale to ensure we have a good chance of scoring strong points and helping the squad in the Teams’ Championship.”