Challenging Shanghai E-Prix opener for Nissan Formula E Team

Rowland and Nato unable to break into the top 10 in frantic wet race

Nissan Formula E Team had a difficult start to the Shanghai E-Prix weekend today in Round 12 of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, as the Japanese outfit was unable to score points at Shanghai International Circuit.

With adverse weather conditions forecast, today’s running was brought forward by three hours, meaning an extremely early start for the drivers and teams.

In this morning’s qualifying, Oliver Rowland didn’t manage to progress to the Duels and lined up 13th. Meanwhile, teammate Norman Nato received a 60-place grid penalty after multiple component changes, following incidents outside of his control in both Monaco and last time out in Sanya. This meant he would start from the back of the grid, so the team opted to save his tires during qualifying.

In the race, Rowland made excellent early progress, climbing into the top five during a frantic start to the E-Prix and showing strong pace in the dry conditions. However, as the rain intensified during the second half of the race, he struggled to get the same level of performance from his car, finishing 13th.

On the other side of the garage, Nato also had to serve a 10-second stop and go penalty at the end of the opening lap, in addition to starting at the back, as the car was not able to serve the full 60-place penalty on the grid. Given these constraints, the Frenchman’s strategy was to save energy and, in the latter stages of the race, the squad opted to pit him to change tires and adjust the pressures. However, an issue during the stop delayed his release, meaning he rejoined in traffic instead of being able to take advantage of the clean air and denying him the opportunity to make up any positions, eventually crossing the line in 20th.

With the adverse conditions expected to continue, tomorrow’s timetable has also been brought forward by three hours. This sees Free Practice 3 getting underway at 06:00 local time (UTC+8), before qualifying from 08:00. It’s then lights out for Round 13 at 12:00 to conclude the weekend.

Oliver Rowland

Qualifying: P13

Race: P13

Norman Nato

Qualifying: P19

Race: P20

Standings after Round 12:

Teams’ Championship – P5 (120 points)

Manufacturers’ Championship – P5 (144 points)

Oliver Rowland – P5 (109 points)

Norman Nato – P18 (11 points)

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “It was a challenging day for us in Shanghai. Despite our qualifying being less than ideal, Oli was able to move up into the top five, but as the rain intensified, we struggled to maintain our pace in those conditions, leaving him outside the points. Norman’s race was compromised before the start due to the penalties and, despite our best efforts to try different strategies with energy saving and tire pressure changes, he also couldn’t score any points. Our focus now will be to understand where we can improve and put ourselves in the strongest possible position to maximize every opportunity tomorrow.”