Nissan Formula E Team’s strong strategy goes unrewarded in Sanya

Rowland and Nato unable to score points due to race-ending incidents

SANYA, China – Nissan Formula E Team had a frustrating event in Round 11 of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Sanya, China, with a great team strategy being compromised by incidents and preventing both drivers from scoring points.

On Formula E's first visit to the island of Hainan since 2019, extreme heat and humidity throughout the event challenged the Japanese squad as it looked to build on its recent positive results.

In two tightly-fought qualifying groups, neither driver was able to make it through the Duels, with Oliver Rowland starting 10th on the grid and Norman Nato 16th. After a positive launch off the line for both drivers, the team employed a strategy to save energy for the first half of the race, to allow themselves to attack later on.

Following a red flag stoppage midway through the E-Prix, Rowland and Nato made use of their extra energy, and with the help of Attack Mode, quickly moved up the order. British driver Rowland took the lead within minutes of the restart, and Nato worked his way into the top four.

Unfortunately, Nato was hit by another driver from behind, sending the Frenchman into the wall and ending what was a very promising race. A few laps later and while battling towards the front, Rowland's day also came to an early end after an unfortunate mistake caused him to hit the wall.

Formula E returns on 3-5 July for Rounds 12 and 13, the remaining two of Season 12's three races in China, when the teams will take on a double-header at Shanghai International Circuit.

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: "It's frustrating to be leaving Sanya without points as the team put both Oli and Norman on the perfect strategies to achieve very good results. We didn't quite have the pace today, and that showed in qualifying; but we knew we could fight back during the race and that's what we did. Both drivers were set to score solid points - Norman was up into the top four but unfortunately an incident out of his control ended his race, while Oli made a very rare but costly mistake which brought his E-Prix to an end as well. Despite the result, the team did a great job and we can definitely take positives. We are happy to have the opportunity to come back to China again soon for the upcoming double-header in Shanghai, which will be an important event as we get closer to the end of the season."

Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "Qualifying was disappointing and it was hard to find the pace, which has been something I've struggled with this season, but we managed to put ourselves in a good position in the race. We got the strategy right, I maybe overconsumed on the restart a bit too much which left me low on energy, but we were still in a good place. Unfortunately, a mistake from my side meant I hit the wall, ending our race early. I'm mad at myself about that, but we will have to continue working and learn what we can from today ahead of the double-header in Shanghai."

Norman Nato, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "We didn't execute our strategy well in qualifying, although we already knew it would be a tough session. We tried to use the grid position as an advantage as we anticipated that there would be lots of opportunities in the race. After saving energy and tires in the opening half of the E-Prix, we moved up the field quickly and I was inside the top four. However, contact from behind put me in the wall and ended my race, which is frustrating as we were on for a good result today."

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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.

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.

Season 11 (2024/25) saw Nissan Formula E Team secure the Drivers’ World Championship with Oliver Rowland as the Brit took seven podiums, including four victories, and three pole positions, winning the title with two races to go.

For Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E Team 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.

More information

Global.NissanNews.com/FormulaEPressKit

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.