- On the eve of the São Paulo e-Prix, which will take place on March 25, continue to meet the protagonists of the Nissan Team in Formula E
- Norman Nato, a French driver with a long history in motorsport, joined the Nissan Formula E team this season as Sacha Fenestraz’s partner.
South America – At just 30 years old, French driver Norman Nato has already come a long way in elite motorsport. After a remarkable career in junior motorsports, he triumphed in Formula Renault 3.5, GP2 Series and FIA Formula 2, with three wins and eight podiums in three seasons.
Norman finished second at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020, taking third place in the FIA World Endurance Drivers’ Championship, season 2019/20.
The French driver returns to Formula E with Nissan this 2022/23 season. He scored a major triumph in this category in the 2020/21 season, becoming one of three riders to have taken a victory in his rookie season. “The coolest thing regarding Formula E is the atmosphere between the drivers, something you don’t see in other championships. Some of us are really good friends,” he explains.
How regarding knowing a little more regarding him?
How would you describe Nissan in motorsport and Formula E?
Nissan is really active in motorsport. Motorsport is very important in Japan and now it is growing in Formula E as well. The team is in a new process.
I am at the beginning of a new chapter and we are in the moment to say “let’s build” this team, this family. Formula E is the right championship to do this and I’m sure Nissan will continue to grow in other championships as well. Nissan has been participating in competitions for many years and that is good for both the company and the drivers. For us, it’s an honor to be part of a company like Nissan.
How did you get to Formula E?
Street circuits are something I’m really into and where I’ve done well in the past. In Kart and Formula 1, Formula 2, in Monaco, I really like street circuits and Formula E is the perfect championship, whether for the circuits, the high level of the drivers, teams and constructors.
What do you think is coolest regarding Formula E?
I think the coolest thing is the atmosphere between the riders in the paddock. It is one of the only championships where drivers go out to lunch or dinner together before or following races. There’s a lot of competition on the track, but there’s a lot of respect and out there we’re good friends and that’s something I really enjoy in Formula E.
How is your preparation before the race? What can’t be missing?
Padel is a sport that I practice a lot because I like it and it’s a good workout that I can do for a few hours. It is also very good for reflexes. I like to run and go to the gym. And I also like to practice yoga both to stretch and to disconnect. Basically I try to adapt my training to my needs in the car.
How do you imagine the experience on the circuit in Brazil where you will compete now in March will be?
I really want to visit Brazil, because I’ve never been there. I know it’s a huge country, São Paulo will be a fun race and it’s certainly a very special place for drivers. I don’t really know what to expect as I haven’t seen the track yet. We are going to prepare for the circuit in the simulator, but I really want to go to Brazil for the first time.
About Nissan in Formula E
Nissan debuted in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Season 5 (2018/2019), becoming the first and only Japanese automaker to participate in the all-electric category.
In Season 7 (2020/2021), Nissan announced its long-term commitment to Formula E and the Generation 3 (Gen3) car era, which runs from Season 9 (2022/2023) until the end of Season 12 (2025/2026) in the all-electric racing category.
With Nissan’s takeover of e.dams in April 2022, the Japanese automaker has taken full control of its stake in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
In June 2022, Nissan announced the supply of its electric powertrain technology to McLaren Racing throughout the Gen3 era of Formula E.
Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz are the Nissan Formula E Team drivers in Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
About Formula E
Since it was created in 2020, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has been the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint, with investments in certified climate protection projects in all countries hosting its races to offset the emissions of each season.
All cars in the championship are electrically powered, making the series a competitive platform for testing and developing the latest electric powertrain technologies. As a result, the biggest builders on the planet compete with each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in urban centers, betting on combating atmospheric pollution and reducing the effects of climate change.
