LATEST NEWS Nissan Formula E Team scores third podium of Season 12 in Jeddah

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (February 17, 2026) – Nissan Formula E Team’s Oliver Rowland  clinched his third podium of the season in Round 5 of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E  World Championship in Jeddah, as the squad bounced back strongly from a tough first  race of the double-header the day before. 

 

In the opening race of the weekend on Friday, Norman Nato qualified well, reaching the  semi-final stage, while teammate Rowland missed out on the Duels. Starting fourth,  Nato led for multiple laps ahead of his Pit Boost stop, but lost places later in the race  against rivals in Attack Mode and crossed the line 13th. Meanwhile, Rowland was unable  to make progress from 16th on the grid, with the current World Champion coming home  17th.

 

In the second race of the double-header on Saturday, a better qualifying performance  for Rowland saw him line-up fourth in his 100th Formula E start, while Nato was  unfortunate to miss out on the Duels in a very tight session. Starting on the second row,  Rowland led in the early stages of the E-Prix, consistently running towards the front and  managing his energy efficiently. He then moved into the top three during his final six minute Attack Mode and secured third place. On the other side of the garage, Nato was  unable to advance through the field from 15th, eventually crossing the line in 17th.

 

Formula E now heads to Madrid on 20-21 March for a maiden race weekend at Circuito  del Jarama.

 

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E  Team: “We’re pleased to get a podium with Oli after a difficult day on Friday. We  struggled in Round 4, even if Norman did a great job in qualifying to make it to the  semi-finals in the Duels, but both drivers lacked pace and found it tough in the race. We  worked hard overnight to find the issues and Oli immediately felt better in the car,  qualifying fourth and putting together a strong race to secure third. On Norman’s side,  he missed out on advancing to the Duels in an incredibly competitive qualifying group,  and at this track it is very difficult to recover when you’re in the pack. The team worked  tirelessly and did an amazing job to ensure we could achieve this podium, and I am  proud of how they reacted and managed to turn things around. It’s been a challenging weekend, but it’s great to end it with a trophy as we head to Madrid.” 

 

Thierry Sabbagh, Divisional Vice President and President, Middle East, KSA, CIS  and India – Nissan and INFINITI, said: “Saudi Arabia remains a key annual stop on  the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar, and the host of the first double header of the season. It has truly been a significant moment for Nissan in the region,  and I was proud to witness the racing live at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Despite a  challenging start, the team’s strong comeback and podium finish reflect the resilience  and competitive spirit that define Nissan in Formula E. This result reinforces our  momentum and the strength of our partnership with Petromin, as we continue  supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for a more sustainable automotive future.”

 

Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “Friday was a tough day for us, I  clipped the wall in FP2 and then we lacked pace in qualifying, which made for a difficult  race. The team worked really hard overnight to make adjustments to the car and it paid  off as we lined up fourth on the grid. I took up the lead in the opening stages to stay out  of trouble as these peloton-style events can be dangerous when further back. It was a  well-managed race and it’s great to be back on the podium. A huge thanks to the team  for their dedication which made this result possible.” 

 

Norman Nato, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I’m frustrated to leave Jeddah with  no points, after we had a positive start to the double-header in qualifying. I felt good in  the car and led comfortably for several laps, but a technical issue affected our pace and  we dropped down the order in the second half of the event. On Saturday, we narrowly  missed out on the Duels in a tight qualifying, and in the race it was very difficult to  move forward with everyone being so closely-matched. It’s disappointing as I think we  could’ve achieved more. However, that’s just the way it goes sometimes in motorsport  and now the focus is on improving and preparing for the next race in Madrid.” 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

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