Nato returns to Nissan Formula E team in replacement of Fenestraz

Norman Nato will return to Nissan’s Formula E team for the upcoming 2024-25 season, replacing Sacha Fenestraz.

The Frenchman returns to the Japanese manufacturer after just one season with Andretti. In Shanghai he achieved one podium finish and finished fifteenth in the drivers’ standings. His place in the American team is taken by Nico Muller.

The 32-year-old driver previously drove for Nissan during the 2022-23 season and finished the season strongly with six straight points, including a podium finish in Rome.

Nato will now enter the Gen3 Evo era alongside Oliver Rowland, the Briton who took two wins last season to finish fourth overall and has a shot at the title.

“I’m very happy to be back with the team. We finished Season 9 strongly together and I’m keen to continue where we left off,” said Nato. “We want to perform straight away, so knowing the car and the team will be useful.

“Oli showed last season how fast he is, we’ve been battling on track since Formula Renault 2.0 but we’ve never been teammates. I’m sure we’ll get along well and hopefully we can share a few podiums together.

“It will be interesting to see how the car has improved, and the goal is clear. We want to win races and championships.

Norman Nato, Andretti Global, Porsche 99X Electric Gen3

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images

“Finally I wish Sacha all the best, he is a top guy and it is never easy to replace someone you have had a partnership with before. I am sure we will race each other again very soon.”

Fenestraz had driven for two seasons with Nissan, but struggled against Rowland in his second season, managing only a fifth place as his best result and finishing seventeenth in the standings.

The French-Argentine driver confirmed to Autosport earlier this month that he had been released by Nissan, despite the team assuring him he would stay until the final year of his contract.

The 25-year-old therefore has little time to find an alternative starting spot, as only the second seat next to Lucas di Grassi at Abt and both seats at ERT and Envision have yet to be confirmed.

Nissan Team Principal Tommaso Volpe said: “We have renewed our driver line-up by welcoming back Norman, who brings with him a wealth of experience and achievements.

“Norman knows the team well and showed his talent when he was with us previously. His feedback and insight is valuable and he has a track record in developing cars, so we are delighted to have him back.

“At the same time and although it was not an easy decision, we have to say goodbye to Sacha.

“He has played a fundamental role in the creation and development of the Nissan Formula E team and we thank him for his hard work and his consistently positive attitude.

“We are proud to have grown together with him and wish him all the best for his future career.”