Nissan Formula E Could Happen in 2018

French manufacturer Renault had entered in a partnership with the e.DAMS team for the Formula E series. However, they could not become an official manufacturer entry until the second season in 2015/16. Together, they won a few constructors championships and even won the driver’s championship with Sebastien Buemi. Now Japanese manufacturer, Nissan have announced that they will be taking over Renault’s entry in Formula E. So Nissan Formula E could soon be a reality

Nissan’s announcement omitted any reference of Renault. But the French manufacturer later confirmed its exit from FE and cited its F1 programme as a catalyst. Executive vice president Thierry Koskas said “We had an incredible championship run during our first three years in Formula E. And look forward to a competitive fourth season with the benefit of a very stable environment at Renault e.dams. As a pioneer in EV, we have learned a tremendous amount about high-performance electric vehicles and energy management that directly benefits our EV customers. After season four [2017/18] we will focus resources on our aggressive goals for Formula 1 and we look forward to continuing to gain benefits from motorsport racing across the alliance with Nissan.”

Renault’s F1 return has been growing in intensity as it looks to accelerate its target of fighting for the world title by 2020. They have engine supply deals with Red Bull and McLaren next season. Additionally, Renault has undertaken an aggressive recruitment and development process over the past 18 months. Renault added more than 80 personnel across 2016, and stressed it needed to continue to grow its staff numbers and upgrade its facilities at Enstone this year.

Renault have scored 48 points in 2017, 40 more than it did in its comeback year. Now, they have an outside chance of stealing fifth in the constructors’ championship. Renault statement’s claimed that “given the competitiveness of the environment, Renault and Nissan will work together to ensure a smooth transition, leveraging the expertise and development already available”.

FE will drop its mid-race car swaps in 2018/19, which will mark the biggest technology step in the series’ short history. The manufacturers’ powertrains will need to last the entire race. To that end, Renault has invested heavily in its new motor/gearbox/inverter package for the rule change. Development started two years ago and the team has admitted to compromising its 2017/18 package in the process. Nissan will utilise Renault technology in its first FE season. The powertrain is likely to be homologated as Nissan’s own. Buemi and team-mate Nico Prost extended their deals with the team to include the 2018/19 season. .