2023-04-21 14:55:44
YOKOHAMA, Japan – After six races in five countries and four continents, Tommaso Volpe, general manager and team principal of the Nissan Formula E Team, analyzes the new results achieved with Gen3 technology in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, season 2022/2023.
Impact of Gen3 technology
Was there anything that surprised you during the early races of the Gen3 era?
TV: The first surprising thing is how much energy we have to manage with new cars. Before it was simpler, we only had to use the regeneration on the rear axle, but now we can do it both on the front and on the rear, opening up many possibilities. Furthermore, the impact of Attack Mode is completely different. In previous years, we lost a bit of time activating it, but we got it back quite easily due to the extra power. Now it’s more like taking a long lap penalty because although it generates more energy, the difference between 300 and 350 kW is not big, so the approach is to use it to attack, but also to use it in a way that we don’t waste time .
How is the team adapting to the new technology?
TV: The team is reacting as best they can to Gen3 technology. We are trying to find different approaches to the new specification of the car, keeping an open mind and doing different programs in the simulator and in free practice. That’s why we were sometimes a bit out of practice as we looked to maximize the chassis and tires while fine-tuning the car’s set-up. It was a challenging process to adapt to the cars, due to differences in tire development and the new braking system, which is more electric and less hydraulic than in the past.
How was the adaptation process of the pilots to the new cars?
TV: The drivers adapted very well, it’s amazing how easily they can acclimatize to a new car. We’ve had six races in a row, which is good for the drivers as they’ve had a lot of track time to get to grips with the car. It also helps the team as we need to learn as much as possible and focus on what’s happening on the track without relying on old data.
Is it frustrating that Gen3 cars aren’t as fast as fans thought they would be?
TV: When we have such big changes in specs, we don’t necessarily see optimal performance in the first few races or even the first season. So we’re not focusing too much on the speed element as we’re early in Gen3 and we know cars are only going to get faster. We think the race is more spectacular than Gen2, making for more entertainment. So, from the fan’s point of view, the sport has won in a broader sense.
engine supply
Is it a bigger workload now that you’re also an engine supplier?
TV: McLaren is very important to us because they are many partners and we have a very close relationship. So yes, it’s more workload, but for good reason as we have extra feedback and data for our program. Simply put, the benefit is that we explore more ways to use the car. We have four different riders on the same machine, so we have more information on the development.
Are you satisfied with the performance of the Nissan engine?
TV: We know we can still improve performance in control systems, software and a few other areas, but where we are now, we’re satisfied.
track performance
How would you sum up the season so far?
TV: We had some challenges in the first few races, but recently we’ve shown where our potential really lies. Unfortunately we didn’t get the results we probably deserved, but if we keep showing the same level of performance we have, the second half of the season will be much better in terms of results.
Are you satisfied with the steps the team has taken since Season 8?
TV: Yeah, I think Season 7 and Season 8 were very challenging for us for obvious reasons and we were all a little frustrated. Despite the difficulties, it’s amazing to see that the team kept their focus and came back so strong at the start of Season 9, especially in the last few rounds.
In terms of results, what is possible for Nissan during Season 9?
TV: If we keep working the way we’ve been doing so far, I think the second half of the season will be much more positive. We haven’t had any results so far, but our goal is to finish Season 9 by regularly challenging the best teams and enter Season 10 with new targets in terms of championship standings.
Team and driver changes
What differences have you noticed now that the team is under one roof?
TV: I think the team spirit has been strengthened. The fact that Nissan, such a large corporation, was fully on our side brought a lot of confidence to everyone involved and to those who joined. We know that we are only at the beginning of this project, but we applied some important changes and invested in the young talent we already had. We don’t expect results overnight, but Nissan’s presence as a manufacturer, one of the biggest in the sport, has boosted everyone’s confidence in the team.
How did Norman and Sacha adapt to the team?
TV: They fit really well. Norman has experience so he used that to establish himself with the team and Sacha did an amazing job acclimatizing to the environment, not just in on-track performance but also in how quickly he built relationships with the team members, so we are very happy with both.
Was it a plus point to have two new drivers with new ideas/perspectives?
TV: Yes, it was a very bold and courageous decision. We had a lot of changes in the team, with the ownership, within the organization, new car and two new drivers, one of them being a rookie. We’re developing the strong core of talent we already had, but making a lot of changes is definitely a big challenge. But we were confident that, despite intensifying the learning curve, it would be a net positive result in the medium to long term.
How difficult is it for a newcomer like Sacha to make his full-time debut in Formula E and be competitive straight away?
TV: I find it very difficult, but for Sacha it seemed simple! He made some small mistakes, but this is absolutely normal in the first few races for a rookie. In Hyderabad and Cape Town, his performances were impeccable. It’s difficult because Formula E is a totally different style of driving than other categories and it’s very difficult for drivers to adapt, but Sacha made it look pretty easy, so all credit to him.
Are drivers enjoying the challenge offered by Gen3 cars?
TV: I think so! We are at the beginning of Gen3, so we have to tune the cars and optimize performance, but overall the drivers are enjoying it. There are many overtakes.
How were the races in new places in the category like Hyderabad, Cape Town and São Paulo?
TV: We weren’t able to score the points that our pace and performance deserved, but we’re happy to have confirmed our potential on track. We are also pleased to be racing in India, South Africa and Brazil as they are very important markets for Nissan so it will be good from our point of view to keep these events on the calendar in the future.
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About Nissan in Formula E
Nissan made its debut in all-electric racing 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 runs from Season 9 (2022/23) until the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of all-electric racing series.
In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams racing team, with the Japanese carmaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
In June 2022, Nissan announced that it would supply its Nissan EV powertrain technology to McLaren Racing throughout the Formula E Gen3 era.
For Season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E drivers will be Norman Nato and Sacha Fenestraz.
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 in its operations and product lifecycle by 2050, Nissan aims to electrify all all-new vehicle offerings by early 2030 in key markets. The Japanese automaker intends to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between track and road to better electric vehicles for customers.
About Formula E
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has become the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint since inception in 2020, having invested in certified climate protection projects across all racing markets to offset carbon emissions. all seasons of electric racing.
All cars in the championship run on electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.
The world’s biggest automakers compete on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centers to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.
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