The final stretch is here, and now just six races remain in one of the most competitive seasons we’ve ever seen in Formula E. One team hoping to maximise this weekend is Nissan, who hope their powertrain package and dynamite driver duo reaps the rewards this weekend.
Nissan first entered Formula E in Season 5, after Renault passed the torch to the Japanese manufacturers. From there, they raced as Nissan e.Dams until they became their ‘own team’ in Season 9 and underwent lots of change.
FEATURE: Five things to look forward to in Shanghai
This season, they have had one of their strongest years since joining the all-electric championship, with Oliver Rowland delivering them podium after podium over the first 10 rounds. There’s no doubt they’ll be targeting more silverware in Shanghai, as Formula E races around the infamous Shanghai International Circuit for the first time!
“I’m happy with the way I’m racing right now,” Rowland suggested, with the Yorkshieman picking up six podiums so far this year including a win in Misano. “Berlin was strong for us with the double podium, and while we’re happy with our championship position, we’re taking it race-by-race.
“Shanghai is set to be a completely different type of circuit to what we faced in Berlin, so my goal is to get myself and the car in a slightly better window in qualifying to get us further up the grid.”
In Berlin, Rowland qualified in 15th and 16th across both respective days, but still managed to fight his way up to third on both occasions to win the ABB Driver of Progress twice.
“The gaps at the front are so small, any improvement will be a huge help,” the 31-year-old added. “The track looks to have high-speed corners and we’ll aim to execute our strategy and score two more positive results.”
For teammate, Sacha Fenestraz it’s fair to say his results on paper haven’t reflected the hard work he’s been doing on the track. The French-Argentine was making good progress during the Sunday race in Berlin, but was wiped out from the action after an incident involving Andretti’s Norman Nato. He has a best finish of fifth this season, but perhaps this is the weekend we could see him finish in the top three?
2024 CALENDAR: Where is Formula E racing in Season 10?
“We showed good speed in Berlin and proved that strong points is a huge possibility,” Fenestraz explained. “I continued to make progress on my side with energy management, particularly in this style of race, which we are expecting once again in Shanghai.
“As a team we’ve been working on improving in qualifying, getting the tires in the right window to be back in the Duels on a regular basis. I’m looking forward to taking on a brand-new venue and can’t wait to be back in the car!”
WATCH: Every Formula E race in China
Formula E has previously been to China seven times over ten seasons, with it holding a special place in the championship’s heart. It was the country that hosted our very first race back in 2014, when Lucas Di Grassi (ABT CUPRA) won a drama-filled first event. Since then we’ve been to Hong Kong and most recently to Sanya.
“This weekend’s event in Shanghai is going to be challenging for everyone, as it’s a new venue for Formula E so it’s going to be about who adapts and learns the quickest,” Tommaso Volpe, the Managing Director and Team Principal of the Nissan Formula E Team continued.
“We’re in good spirits after our strong results this year but we know that we still have a lot to improve, so we will look to carry that mentality and focus into this double-header.”
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2024 Shanghai E-Prix Rounds 11 & 12
The 2024 Shanghai E-Prix Round 11 gets underway on Friday 24 May with Free Practice 1 at 17:00 local time.
WATCH: How to watch every race of Formula E Season 10
Track action for the first day of the double-header starts on Saturday 25 May with Free Practice 2 at 08:00 local. Qualifying follows at 10:20 local time with lights out for Round 11 scheduled at 15:00 local.
Following this, Sunday’s action starts with Free Practice 3 at 08:00, followed by Round 12 qualifying and the race at 10:20 and 15:00 local time respectively.
Follow the race LIVE and listen to full race commentary on web and in the Formula E app!
Follow all the action on-track as it happens in the Race Centre.
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