Nissan Formula E Team is making final preparations ahead of this weekend’s Berlin E-Prix double-header, which marks Rounds 13 and 14 of the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Oliver Rowland comes into the event leading the Drivers’ Standings by 69 points thanks to his excellent season so far, which has seen him take three pole positions and seven podiums, including four victories. Rowland has a good track record at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit, securing his maiden win in the series there with the team in 2020, along with three further podiums, including a pair of third-place finishes last season.
The team’s reserve and simulator driver Sérgio Sette Câmara will partner Rowland this weekend, standing in for Norman Nato, who will be absent due to his World Endurance Championship commitments. The Brazilian has been working with the squad since the start of Season 11 and has plenty of Formula E experience, having taken part in 66 E-Prixs to date since debuting at the Berlin event in Season 6.
The outfit has scored points in 10 out of 12 races this season, and will be aiming to keep up that run as it looks to move up from second-place and back into the lead of the Teams’ Championship. Meanwhile, Nissan still holds a three-point advantage in the Manufacturers’ Standings with four races to go in the current campaign.
Measuring 2.343-kilometres, the Berlin E-Prix takes place on the apron at the iconic Tempelhof Airport, just south of the city center. Germany’s capital is the only venue to be ever-present on the Formula E calendar since the inaugural 2014/15 season, with 10 races held at Tempelhof. The track is famous for its abrasive surface, meaning drivers must take extra care with their tire management.
The race weekend will begin with Free Practice 1 at 16:00 local time (UTC+2), with qualifying taking place at 11:20 and the race at 16:05 on both Saturday and Sunday.
Following the event, Formula E will hold its annual Berlin Rookie Test on Monday. Nissan Formula E Team will field the squad’s rookie and simulator driver Abbi Pulling together with Formula 2 racer Gabriele Minì. Both have previously driven the Nissan e-4ORCE 05, with Pulling topping the all-women’s session last November in Jarama, while Minì clinched second in Rookie Free Practice in Jeddah earlier this year. The duo will tackle two three-hour sessions, with the first from 09:00 to 12:00 and the second from 14:00 to 17:00 local time (UTC+2).
Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “Berlin is a track we are familiar with and where we’ve been successful in the past, especially with Oliver. The layout has changed slightly from last year, but we have plenty of data from previous seasons and know what to expect. There is a lot at stake this weekend, but the team is very motivated and focused, so I am confident that we have what it takes to perform and bring the points we need back home. Oliver is in a very good position in the championship and has proven what he can do time and time again this season, so we will look to build on that with him. On the other side of the garage, we’re very happy to count on Sérgio for this event. He will have a few things to manage and get up to speed with, but he is a very experienced and talented driver, and we are confident that we have the best man for the job. We’re in a good position in all three championships and our focus is on scoring strongly this weekend to make our job easier for the season finale in London.”
Oliver Rowland, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I’ve got some good memories in Berlin; my first win in Formula E was a special one, and then we had two strong races last year, so I’m looking forward to being back. It’s going to be an interesting weekend strategically – Saturday’s race with the Pit Boost is likely to be higher paced, with Sunday’s more tactical and focused on energy saving. It’s a track we know well, even though there are a few changes to the layout this year, but we know the ins and outs of the surface and we’re targeting a strong event.”
Sérgio Sette Câmara, driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I’m obviously very excited to drive this weekend in Berlin. I’ve been with the team at a lot of races, but there’s no feeling like being in the car. It’s going to be challenging to jump in mid-season and there’s a lot to learn about the new generation of car. The main differences are the softer tire compound, along with the all-wheel drive system. It will also be my first Formula E race with Pit Boost, which I’m looking forward to. I’ve been working hard at the factory with Oli and the engineers, learning and understanding strategies for the event. I’ll give my best and won’t put too much pressure on myself, but I would love to help the team in all three championships, so I’ll strive to score points which would be an amazing result.”
