Nissan acquires e.dams Formula E race team

Nissan has announced its acquisition of the e.dams race team, thus taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The team is currently based in Le Mans, France, and will continue to race as planned in Formula E’s eighth season with the next round in Monaco on April 30.

Nissan’s participation in Formula E supports the company’s long-term commitment to electrification and sustainability outlined in Nissan’s Ambition 2030 plan.

It entered the series in 2018 in partnership with e.dams, with both companies racing together in the all-electric championship as the Nissan e.dams Formula E team.

In March 2021, the Japanese automotive manufacturer announced its commitment to the Formula E Gen3 era, which will run from Season 9 (2022-2023) through to the end of Season 12 (2025-2026) of the series.

The change in ownership and new management structure will take place immediately with Nissan Formula E general manager Tommaso Volpe also become e.dams managing director.

“I am delighted that Nissan is taking over e.dams and we are thinking of Jean-Paul Driot who, together with Nissan, had the vision for the team and helped to develop our partnership,” says Volpe. “Since his passing in 2019, Olivier and Grégory Driot took over and made sure the legacy of their father’s success would continue.”

Nissan chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta adds: “We have been on the grid for over 85 years, and our desire to win continuously accelerates us forward. We learn as we race, and the relentless pace of technological progression that drives the Formula E championship will provide us with many opportunities to inform and develop even better cars for customers.

“We’re also passionate about delivering innovative and exciting driving experiences while demonstrating our commitment to zero emission and sustainable solutions. This acquisition will further empower us in the strategic electrification objectives of our business.”

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 all its new vehicle offerings by the early 2030s in key markets.

Olivier and Grégory Driot say they’ve had several open discussions in recent months with Nissan and decided it was the right time for them to take the reins and continue the family’s legacy and secure the long- term future of the employees

The Formula E team includes Swiss driver Sébastien Buemi in the No. 23 “Nissan Ariya” and German driver Maximilian Günther in the No. 22 “Nissan Leaf”.