Formula E testing is close, with teams in high preparation for the challenge in Valencia.
With the upcoming Formula E championship starting earlier than usual this year in December, teams are already in high gear preparing for the crucial Formula E season tests in Valencia in November. Let’s not forget that the Gen 3 Evo cars. Announced during the Monaco weekend last April, they will debut in Season 11. These updated cars are touted as the fastest FIA single-seaters in the world. They boast a blistering 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 1.82 seconds. This marks a 30% performance improvement over a current Formula 1 car and a 36% boost compared to the previous Gen 3 model.
Early Formula E Testing at Varano de’ Melegari
According to reports from Il Messaggero, several top-tier Formula E teams, including reigning champions Jaguar TCS, third-placed Nissan, and the new entry Lola ABT, have already been running tests at the Varano de’ Melegari circuit in Italy. This early testing phase, especially ahead of the official Valencia sessions, is crucial as teams work to refine the setups for their new cars.
Lola ABT, making their debut in collaboration with Yamaha for their powertrain development, is among the teams putting in the hard work to ensure they hit the ground running come December. Jaguar TCS and Nissan, both seasoned competitors in the series, are also pushing their limits. They are hoping to carry the momentum from last season into the new championship.
Silly Season Drama: Fenestraz’s Departure from Nissan
As preparations ramp up, the Formula E “silly season” is far from over. In a surprising turn of events, Sacha Fenestraz will not return to Nissan for the 2024-25 Formula E season. Despite being considered a strong contender just last month to retain his seat for the final year of his contract, Nissan has opted to part ways with the French-Argentine driver following a lacklustre 2024 campaign.
Fenestraz struggled throughout the season, finishing 17th in the drivers’ standings. Meanwhile, his teammate, Oliver Rowland, finished a commendable fourth, despite missing two races due to illness. Fenestraz’s departure has opened the door for a potential return of former Nissan driver Norman Nato, who was recently released by Andretti. Nato now appears to be the frontrunner to fill the vacant seat at Nissan. Athough other contenders like Victor Martins, Caio Collet, and Sergio Sette Camara are also in the mix.
While Fenestraz has reportedly explored opportunities with teams such as ERT and ABT Lola, a deal does not seem imminent. This could push him towards a return to Japan’s Super Formula series.
ABT Lola’s Uncertainty Over Driver Lineup
Meanwhile, the ABT Lola team is still finalizing its driver lineup ahead of the new season. Lucas di Grassi, the most successful driver in Formula E history with 47 podiums, will remain with the team as they prepare to embark on a new chapter alongside Lola Cars. Di Grassi has been a staple of ABT’s Formula E efforts. And with the team’s return to the series last season after a year-long hiatus, the Brazilian veteran will be central to their ambitions in the upcoming championship.
However, ABT Lola has yet to announce who will partner with di Grassi for the 2024-25 season. With the team set to use a Yamaha-developed powertrain, securing a strong second driver is vital to the team’s competitiveness. It is expected that ABT Lola will make their decision before the official tests in Valencia, which are scheduled for November. This will give the new pairing ample time to gel before the season opener in São Paulo.
