Nissan Formula E Team confirms Sam Bird as reserve and development driver

Multiple Formula E race-winner to strengthen and complete the Japanese outfit’s driver line-up for Season 12

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Formula E Team is delighted to announce that Sam Bird will be the squad’s reserve and development driver for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Bird has been ever-present on the Formula E grid since its maiden race in 2014 and has taken wins across all three generations of car in the championship. A title contender in several Formula E seasons, Bird claimed victory in the series’ second-ever race in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and has competed in 144 races, scored 27 podiums and claimed 12 wins - the fourth highest in Formula E history. His most recent victory came at São Paulo in Season 10 (2023/24), when he crossed the finish line first in the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, who were then a Nissan customer team.

Bird’s extensive knowledge of the Nissan Formula E powertrain will be a major asset to the squad throughout Season 12, as he works alongside Oliver Rowland, Norman Nato and Abbi Pulling to push the team forward. He will also contribute to the development of the GEN4 machinery, ensuring that Nissan Formula E Team continues to build on its recent success and maintains its strong upward trajectory.

Tommaso Volpe, managing director and team principal, Nissan Formula E Team: “We’re very happy to welcome Sam as our reserve and development driver for Season 12. He is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in the championship and has competed with our powertrain for the past two seasons, so there was really no question that he would be a great fit for the team. He will play an important role as we look to keep consistently fighting at the top in the upcoming campaign while we get ready for GEN4.”

Sam Bird, reserve and development driver, Nissan Formula E Team: “I’m extremely happy to be joining Nissan Formula E Team as the reserve and development driver for the 2025/26 campaign. I’ve worked closely with Nissan over the past two seasons, so I feel prepared as I know the Nissan Formula E powertrain well. I’ve got a great relationship with both Oli and Norman and they are two drivers I respect very highly. I’ll help them in any way possible trackside and by aiding to further develop the current GEN3 Evo and future GEN4 car. The knowledge I have built up over the last two years will mean I can jump straight into the simulator and give feedback instantly, supporting the squad to build on its recent success in Season 11.”

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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.