Frustrating Madrid E-Prix for Nissan Formula E Team

Rowland and Nato unable to convert solid qualifying performances into points

MADRID, Spain – Nissan Formula E Team had a disappointing inaugural Madrid E-Prix in Round 6 of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, with neither Oliver Rowland nor Norman Nato able to score points in the first E-Prix held in Spain with fans in attendance.

In tricky qualifying conditions on a damp track, both drivers managed to show strong pace, advancing through to the Duels. Rowland's performance meant he lined up eighth, while Nato made it to the semi-final stage, ensuring a second row start in fourth.

A drying circuit greeted the duo at the beginning of the E-Prix. After some positive opening laps, Rowland received a drive-through penalty for overpower at the race start. This dropped the Brit back through the field and, despite showing great pace, crossed the line in 16th.

On the other side of the garage, Nato suffered contact at the start which cost him a few places, but he managed to regroup and remained in the points paying positions for the majority of the E-Prix. The Frenchman battled his way up as high as seventh but struggled with a technical issue, finishing 11th.

Nissan Formula E Team is back in action tomorrow at Circuito del Jarama as the squad's rookie and simulator driver Abbi Pulling and Alpine Racing driver Victor Martins take on the Madrid Rookie Test, with on-track action getting underway from 09:00 local time (UTC+1).

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: "It feels like a missed opportunity on a track where we've shown strong performance throughout the weekend. It was great to get both cars into the Duels and the race was going well up until Norman's Pit Boost stop, when his pace dropped and we'll need to investigate the cause of this problem. On Oli's side, he could've been fighting for the top positions today without the drive-through penalty. It is very disappointing as the team did a great job and we definitely had the pace to score strong points today. We will use the break between now and Berlin to look into these technical issues to avoid them happening again."

Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "It was a tricky weekend with mixed weather throughout. I felt good in both Free Practice sessions and managed to get through to the Duels in Qualifying, which was a target I had set for myself. We started the E-Prix well, being very efficient before we received the drive-through. The pace still felt good throughout, so without the penalty we could've been challenging further forward. It's disappointing but we now need to understand why the technical issue happened and put it right for the remainder of the season."

Norman Nato, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: "This circuit is such a fun one to drive and the support from the fans throughout the event was amazing. I was pleased with my performance in tricky damp conditions during Qualifying, as I managed to be quickest in my group again and advance to the semi-final stage. After a tough start, we were constantly fighting in the top 10 but then a technical issue affected our pace towards the end of the race. It's frustrating not to score points after starting fourth, and we must ensure we don't encounter these issues again. I've been quick in qualifying throughout the season, but this is Formula E and sometimes things don't go your way. I will stay focused so that I'm ready when we manage to get everything working for us and I can make the most of it."

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About Nissan in Formula E

Nissan made its all-electric racing debut 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 will run from Season 9 (2022/23) through to the end of Season 12 (2025/26) of the all-electric racing series.

In April 2022, Nissan acquired the e.dams race team, with the Japanese automaker taking full ownership of its involvement in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

On 28th March 2024, ahead of the first ever Tokyo E-Prix, Nissan announced its long term commitment to Formula E, becoming the first manufacturer to sign up for the GEN4 era, which runs until 2030, reinforcing its pledge to its Ambition 2030 electrification targets.

Season 11 (2024/25) saw Nissan Formula E Team secure the Drivers’ World Championship with Oliver Rowland as the Brit took seven podiums, including four victories, and three pole positions, winning the title with two races to go.

For Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, the Nissan Formula E Team drivers are Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato.

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 across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify every all-new vehicle offering by the early 2030s in key markets. The Japanese automaker aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.

More information

Global.NissanNews.com/FormulaEPressKit

About Formula E

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship became the first global sport to be certified with a net zero carbon footprint from inception back in 2020, having invested in certified climate-protecting projects in all race markets to offset emissions from every season of electric racing.

All cars in the championship are powered by electricity, with the series acting as a competitive platform to test and develop the latest in electric technology.

The World's greatest manufacturers race against each other on street circuits and Formula E promotes the adoption of sustainable mobility in city centers in a bid to combat air pollution and lessen the effects of climate change.