Nissan has solidified its commitment to the all-electric Formula E world championship by taking full ownership of its race team.
The Japanese manufacturer has worked in partnership with the French e.dams operation since its Formula E debut in the 2018/19 season. The team won the first three Formula E titles when it was powered by Renault and grew out of the successful DAMS Formula 2 outfit founded by Jean-Paul Driot, who died in 2019. His sons Olivier and Grégory have run the team since his passing and have now sold their interests to Nissan.
The increased commitment from Nissan is a boost for the series, which is also set to gain Maserati as a powertrain supplier next season but has lost factory teams run by Audi and BMW in the past year. The reigning world champion Mercedes EQ team is also set to pull out at the end of this season.
Nissan says the move is part of its commitment to electrification and sustainability, as laid out in its Ambition 2030 company blueprint, and represents a “natural step”. The company had already announced its commitment to the Gen 3 technical upgrade due next season, which will increase the power and performance of the single-seat racers and introduce fast-charging pitstops for the first time.
“These are exciting times for all of us at Nissan, our fans and customers everywhere,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s chief operating officer. “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.
“The acquisition of the e.dams team not only reconfirms our long-term commitment to Formula E, but also to the exciting, high-performance world of motorsports competition as a whole. But we don’t only love to compete. 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.”